Gen Z eats nearly twice as many snacks as boomers, with experts warning they're replacing real meals

Americans may love to snack, but younger adults appear to be taking the habit to another level, according to a new European survey that highlights broader shifts in eating habits.

The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by European Mushrooms and reported by news agency SWNS, found that Gen Z respondents consumed an average of 81 snacks each month, nearly twice as many as baby boomers, who averaged 45.

Experts say the findings reflect a broader trend in how younger adults approach meals, with convenience increasingly replacing traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Many of those snacks, however, are not the healthiest choices.

Eight in 10 respondents said they eat foods such as chips, cookies and chocolate every week. 

Many also reported feeling sluggish, bloated or fatigued afterward. Among those who noticed negative effects, 91% said they experienced an energy crash.

For many, that slump arrives during the afternoon. Researchers found the average "crash time" was 3:06 p.m., with tiredness, boredom and low energy among the most common reasons people reached for another snack.

California-based food policy expert and author Darin Detwiler, who was not involved in the survey, told Fox News Digital that today's snacking habits reflect broader changes in how people consume food.

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"The bigger story is that the definition of a 'meal' has changed," Detwiler said.

Many younger adults no longer organize their day around traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner, Detwiler said. Instead, protein bars, smoothies, frozen meals and packaged foods increasingly serve as meal replacements rather than simply snacks.

Convenience is one of the biggest drivers behind that shift, with younger consumers balancing busy schedules, tighter budgets and the need for quick, ready-to-eat options, Detwiler said.

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"The real question is not whether Gen Z snacks more," he said. "The better question is whether those snacks are adding nutrition or replacing nutrition."

That shift may also help explain why Gen Z is embracing snacks over traditional meals.

The survey found 41% of Gen Z respondents said they prefer snacks to full meals, compared with 31% of all respondents. More than one-third also said having snacks to look forward to throughout the day gives them something to anticipate.

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Despite those habits, many respondents said they would actually prefer healthier options.

Carrie Ruxton, an England-based dietitian, told SWNS that making smarter snack choices can help people avoid the afternoon energy slump.

"Timing snacks properly can help prevent energy crashes and boost essential nutrients," Ruxton said.

Blood sugar levels naturally fall a few hours after eating, which can contribute to fatigue, brain fog and reduced concentration, she said.

"Snacking cleverly can help stabilize energy and prevent those dips," Ruxton said.

The goal isn't to stop snacking altogether but to make more thoughtful choices that provide longer-lasting energy throughout the day, Ruxton said.