Research suggests children ask for almost four snacks every day on average during the summer break – totalling 168 requests across the school holidays
With the lengthy summer holidays looming, parents are braced for a summer of relentless snack demands.
And new research is showing children request nearly four snacks daily on average – amounting to 168 pleas across the summer break – according to healthy snack brand Imaginakery.
Almost one in 50 (2%) parents say their youngster asks for more than 14 snacks a day – equivalent to a demand almost every hour they’re awake.
Parents barely have time for their morning brew before being badgered for treats, as the initial requests arrive before 8am for one in five (20%).
It’s frequently the simple solution to cave in to demands, given the pressures of summer holidays. One in 10 (10%) never turn down snack requests from their offspring, while nearly three-quarters (72%) are unlikely to reject more than five requests in a day.
The nation’s dilemma centres on the snacks children are consuming: biscuits (69%), chocolate (59%) and crisps (57%) lead the way for the treats most regularly devoured.
Considering the frequency of demands, the expense of fresh produce and the ease of these snacks, parents can scarcely be criticised for choosing unhealthy treats to keep youngsters content during the summer break.
Nearly eight in 10 (79%) parents have dished up a sweet treat for breakfast, while almost a quarter (21%) have deployed snacks as a negotiating tool to navigate a hectic day. Yet despite giving it their all, many feel they’re missing healthier alternatives.
Four in five (81%) want to see more lower-sugar snacks on supermarket shelves, while almost two-thirds (63%) say they’d gladly make the switch if suitable options were on offer.
The research originates from new snack brand Imaginakery, which is determined to make snack times healthier, while still being a treat for children.
The brand has unveiled The Great British Snacking Crisis – a report that examines parents’ and their children’s snacking behaviours in depth – alongside its debut product, Jungle Squad, arriving on supermarket shelves. The whitepaper investigates the extent of the issue and the transformations the industry must adopt to support modern families and their snacking patterns.
Mark Simester, Founder and CEO of Imaginakery, said: “For many families, snacks have become part of the daily routine, especially during the school holidays when children are at home all day. Parents want healthier choices, but too often they’re left compromising between convenience and nutrition.”
Imaginakery expert nutritionist, Dr Emma Derbyshire, has shared her top tips to help guide parents through the challenges facing them this summer and to encourage healthier snacking for kids:.
Make snacktime interactive Children are naturally curious – let them get involved with washing, peeling or chopping fresh fruit and vegetables to spark their interest in the snack. You’ll often discover they’re more inclined to try a new, healthy food if they’ve had a hand in preparing it.
You might even think about encouraging healthy snacking; Jungle Squad, for instance, offers kids the chance to learn from an educational card game while enjoying a healthier alternative to typical sweet snacks.
Top tips to get your child snacking right
It’s all about positioning: If children see unhealthy snacks readily available, they become used to these products being the standard for snacking. Keep healthy snacks at eye level on worktops, in fridges and in cupboards, while unhealthy treats should be stored out of sight and reach.
Avoid labelling foods ‘good’ or ‘bad’: This sort of language around snacking can foster unhealthy habits. Instead of using good/bad labels, discuss how foods fuel our bodies to both educate your children and ensure a healthy relationship with different kinds of foods.
Set the right example: This might seem obvious, but children naturally imitate their parents’ behaviours. Establish healthy snacking habits by regularly eating healthy snacks with your children.
Combatting convenience choices: Keep the proper snacks within easy reach and readily accessible. Whether it’s a more nutritious take on classic favourites or pre-prepared fruit and vegetables that’s ready to consume, combat the challenge of convenience snacking by getting organised beforehand.
The top 10 snacks children eat most frequently
Biscuits (69%).
Chocolate (59%).
Crisps (57%).
Fresh fruit (57%).
Yoghurts (55%).
Sweets (48%).
Cake (39%).
Cheese (33%).
Toast (29%).
Baked goods (28%).