America's Eating Habits: Some Interesting Facts

A recent issue of Food Technology magazine reveals some interesting facts about Americas mealtime choices and behaviors in 2013 and a shift in priorities when it comes to what consumers want to eat and where. 

Here's a few interesting facts:

About one-third of adults are devoted breakfast eaters and never pass it up.

Americans typically eat and drink 14 different kinds of food and beverages in one day. The selections mainly come from fruits, vegetables, milk, coffee, juices, potatoes, sandwiches, salty snacks, carbonated soft drinks and ready-to-eat cereal.

Forty percent of specialty food consumers bought food online.

The highest grossing restaurant chains are McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, KFC and Chik-fil-A.

Half of adults bought prepared foods at convenience stores. The most popular items were hot dogs, deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, pizza and other breakfast foods.

Forty-five percent of Millennials and 24 percent of Boomers have adopted a special diet such as vegan or gluten-free. One-third of all Millennials eating involves global cuisine, and 56 percent of Millennials want something healthy for their next snack.

The percentage of all meals eaten and prepared in the home in 2013 was exactly the same as in 2012 73 percent, up from 70 percent five years ago.

Millennials are round-the-clock eaters 12 percent for breakfast, 16 percent for morning snacks, 15 percent lunch, 17 percent afternoon, snacks, 18 percent dinner, and 20 percent evening snacks.

More than half of adults buy specialty oils, cheese and chocolate.

Snacking accounts for over half of all eating occasions. One in five people eat one snack per day, 41 percent have two, 24 percent have three, 13 percent have four, and four percent have five or more.

More than two-thirds of deli cheese sales are for specialty cheeses. Strong sellers are Gouda, Brie, bleau, goat cheese as well as Mediterranean and Hispanic cheese. More cheesemakers and retailers are embracing the art of aging cheeses.

Consumers are most interested in savory flavors such as spicy, smoky and tangy. Sour and bitter flavors are also increasing in consumer interest.

A majority of consumers for the first time say they prefer hot or spicy sauces, dips, condiments and bolder flavors. Rising in popularity are chili sauce, cayenne, Sriracha, habanero and ancho peppers.

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Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.