New survey reveals unhealthy foods dominate young people’s snacking
A new survey of over 2,500 UK school children by the British Nutrition Foundation, reveals that young people’s snack choices are dominated by foods typically high in fat, salt and sugar, raising fresh concerns about the daily diets of 10-13-year-olds. When asked which foods they have most often as a snack the top five responses were:
- Crisps – 41%
- Fresh fruit – 36%
- Biscuit/cookie – 32%
- Chocolate – 32%
- Sweets – 28%
The survey found that nearly four in five (79%) young people had two or more snacks a day and that these were most commonly eaten after school, with 76% of young people saying that this is a time of day when they normally have a snack during the week.
When purchasing snacks, young people found it difficult to choose healthier options. More than half of children (53%) said that they buy snacks from their school canteen but fewer than one in five (19%) said that their school canteen helps them choose healthier snacks.
Bridget Benelam, Nutrition Communications Manager at the Foundation commented on the findings: “These results shine a spotlight on how unhealthy options are dominating young people's diets, and how difficult it is for them to find healthier choices. We need to make healthier snacks the easy, attractive choice. Snacks can make a positive contribution to nutrient intakes, but right now, the odds are stacked against young people making the healthier choice and we risk a generation of children growing up with poor eating habits that could damage their long-term health."
More than four in five (83%) children said that they buy snacks from a shop, typically a local shop (58%) or local supermarket (22%). But only one in three (33%) thought it was easy to choose a healthy snack from a shop. When asked what the main reason was that it was hard to choose a healthier snack in a shop, 28% said that unhealthy foods look nicer, 17% said that it’s hard to find the healthier options, 10% said that it’s hard to work out what is healthy and a further 10% said that healthy foods are expensive.
“Healthier snack options on the go include fresh fruit, wholegrain crackers or malt loaf” adds Benelam.
The survey was conducted as part of the British Nutrition Foundation’s Snack-tember campaign, which aims to help children and young people make and choose healthier, more sustainable snacks.
“The aim of Snack-tember is to help children have snacks containing more vegetables and fruit, more wholegrains, beans and pulses and less saturated fat, salt and sugars. We’re calling on school caterers, shops and supermarkets to make healthier snack choices easier for young people by making healthier options prominent, affordable and attractive.” said Benelam.
With nearly 3,000 schools and other organisations registered for Snack-tember, the Foundation is providing free resources to help support young people make and choose healthier snacks including five hero recipes that they can make themselves. There are also free guides available for school caterers and for parents.
Ends
The Great Snack Survey was carried out between 18–29 November 2024, involved 2,592 pupils aged 10-13 from 44 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The British Nutrition Foundation is grateful to all the schools and pupils who took part in The Great Snack Survey.
For more information or to register for Snack-tember see https://www.nutrition.org.uk/snack-tember-2025/
About the British Nutrition Foundation
Connecting people, food and science for better nutrition and healthier lives
The British Nutrition Foundation is a charity that strives to prevent diet-related illness and promote health and wellbeing through evidence-based nutrition science. It provides a bridge between nutrition science, government, industry, healthcare, education and people, and is a conduit to a healthier, more sustainable food environment for all.
The British Nutrition Foundation’s team is made up of highly qualified and experienced nutrition scientists and educators who work to disseminate evidence-based peer reviewed research findings which: support industry strategy and healthy, sustainable product innovation; inform government policy and regulations; and help people build their knowledge, skills and confidence in making positive, food and lifestyle choices to help prevent illness and disease and promote health and wellbeing.
We safeguard our independence through robust governance, with an independent Board supported by an Advisory Committee and a Scientific Committee, both of which draw upon a broad range of experts from academia, government, industry, and public life. Our governance is weighted towards the scientific community, universities, and research institutes, and those from education, finance, media, communications, and HR backgrounds.
Funding for the British Nutrition Foundation is from membership subscriptions; donations; project grants from food producers and manufacturers, retailers and food service companies; conferences; publications, training, trusts, and foundations. The British Nutrition Foundation is not a lobbying organisation, nor does it endorse any products or engage in food advertising campaigns.
More details about the British Nutrition Foundation’s work, funding and governance can be found here.
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Article by British Nutrition Foundation