Tips for creating and marketing healthy snacking choices at your restaurant or foodservice operation

If you have looked at trending data that suggests health and weight control are low-priority reasons people choose to eat snacks, you might decide not to offer healthy snack choices. In making that choice, however, you may just be missing out on the large untapped market of consumers who are looking for healthier options and solutions to their health problems. In fact, with statistics suggesting that 60 per cent of Canadians are either overweight or obese, and a large number of people struggling with health issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, heart disease and diabetes, the potential market is substantial.

You likely already know that taste and enjoyment always rank among the top reasons consumers buy and select foods, including snacks. This is no different for health-conscious consumers or someone struggling with a medical issue and trying to lose weight. Even for me as a registered dietitian, if you asked me to select the top reason I choose foods or snacks, I would also select enjoyment and taste first, but with consideration of health.  

The secret in targeting sales of snack foods for health-conscious consumers is to deliver taste while being able to surprise them with the fact that it is healthy. When you do, they will become loyal customers because they know you understand their needs. 

The definition of a healthy choice is broad and defined differently by many consumers. This means you have an unlimited ability to observe your target consumer base and offer them solutions that stand out from the crowd.

Marketing “less of…”

You can choose to market snack choices based on less calories or fat, which is common in quick service restaurant such as Subway or Taco Bell. The successful New York chain Energy Kitchen offers a menu where nothing is more than 500 calories. If you adapt this thinking to your snack menu, consider offering consumers a “small bite” or snack menu where nothing is over 250 calories. This means that some indulgent savoury and sweet items will be included as well as standard yogurt parfaits, fruit cups and raw veggies and dip. You may also consider gluten-free options, considering recent consumer-eating trends and given the fact that approximately one in every 100 people in Canada have celiac disease.