When Americans reach for a snack, its most likely to be fruit-though its a close call over more caloric choices. That surprising finding comes from a new two-year study of snacking by the NPD Group, “Snacking in America.” Fresh fruit was consumed in 10 more snack occa-sions a year than chocolate, the next top snack food, and 25 more occasions a year than potato chips, the third most popular snack food. Fruit led the list in part because it was consumed throughout the day, with consumers age 65 and older most likely to snack on fruit. Overall, the report said, one out of every five eating occasions is a snack rather than a meal. (For some healthy advice on snacking, see our February Special Report.)
