British people in lockdown discover plant-based snacks as the pandemic drives trend for healthier eating
Lockdown has led to a significant change in the nation’s food habits according to new research from Olam Cocoa, which shows that while we’re snacking more than we were before the pandemic, we’re also much more health conscious[1]. Rather than reaching for old favorites, more of us are turning to healthier snacks and plant-based foods—many for the very first time.
More than half of respondents (55 percent) say an indulgent treat has helped to boost their mood during lockdown, and 4 in 10 (39 percent) admit to snacking more frequently since COVID-19 restrictions began. But a third (36 percent) also say they have become more health conscious since the start of the pandemic and 22 percent of consumers say they look for confectionery, bakery or snacks with low sugar, salt or fat. This is especially true of younger people aged 18-34 who are both the biggest snackers and the most likely to have become more concerned about their health since the start of lockdown (45 percent).