Snack food
|
Assorted snacks, including many varieties of candy. |
A
snack food is seen in Western culture as a type of food not meant to be eaten as a main
meal of the day (
breakfast,
lunch,
supper). Rather, the food is intended as a
snack: something to temporarily tide a person's
hunger, provide a brief supply of energy for the body, or something to be eaten for enjoyment of the taste.
Snack foods are designed to be less perishable, more durable, and more appealing than natural foods. They often contain substantial amounts of
sweeteners,
preservatives, and appealing ingredients such as
chocolate,
peanuts, and specially designed flavors (such as flavored
potato chips).
Foods manufactured primarily as snack foods are often classified as
junk food: they have little or no nutritional value, and are not seen as contributing towards general health and nutrition.
The snack food industry in market-driven societies such as the
United States generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The market for snack foods is enormous, and a number of large corporations are constantly struggling to capture larger shares of the snack food market. Consequently, heavy promotions are used to convince consumers to buy snack foods. Snack foods are advertised far more than regular nutritional foods (such as fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products), and the flashiest
TV commercials and
advertising campaigns are often designed to sell snack foods.
With growing concerns for
nutrition,
diet,
weight control and general
health, some people are making a conscious effort to eat more healthy, natural snacks such as
fruit (fresh or dried),
vegetables (
carrot sticks),
nuts and
cereal grains (
granola, granola bars,
rice cakes).
Chips
*
Cheese curls*
Combos*
Pretzels
*
Potato chips*
Pork rinds
*
Tortilla chipsCandy
*
Candy bars
Broader categories
*
Crackers
*
Cookies/Biscuits*
Doughnuts
*
French Fries*
Ice cream*
Mixed nuts*
Onion rings*
Pizza*
Popcorn*
Student food*
Trail mix*
Canapés*
Hors d'oeuvre*
List of Japanese snack food*
List of Philippine snack food*
Tapas, a type of snack from Spain, normally served free with drinks.
*
Complete Recipes: Snacks*
Taquitos.net (reviews of more than 2000 snacks)*
Healthy Kids Snacks.com
