Driscoll's Reveals Snack Attacks Affect 97% of Those Surveyed; More Than Half Indulge in a 3 p.m. Snack

WATSONVILLE, CA, January 8 – Most afternoons, do you find yourself searching the shelves for something to snack on? If so, you’re not alone. A new survey  sponsored by Driscoll’s revealed that 97% of those surveyed indulge in a between-meal nibble at least once a day and almost three fourths of afternoon snackers feel they should be making healthier snack choices. When does hunger strike most frequently? 50% of those surveyed snack around 3 p.m. and 79% of those respondents snack in order to refuel or beat “the afternoon slump.”

The survey also revealed that the time of day people reach for their snacks affects their snack choice. People who snack between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. are more likely to choose fresh fruit.

“It’s great to see that people often make a fresh fruit choice as an afternoon snack,” says Frances Dillard, Director of Marketing, Driscoll’s. “We know that it’s not easy to always make a healthy choice. That’s why we are excited to launch a campaign that will introduce great tasting blueberry snacks to replace the unhealthy 3 p.m. snack, especially as people are trying to keep their New Year’s resolutions on track.”

The Driscoll’s survey also found:

•  81% of those who work in an office setting away from home continue to work while eating their snack.
•  Respondents who indulge in healthier snacks like fresh fruit are more social at snack time.
•  45.7% snack on something less healthy, like salty foods, candy and baked goods.

“It’s natural for people to crave a snack around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.,” says Bahar Tak, Editor of fitness-focused Shape Magazine. “It has to do with the circadian cycle and is triggered by many factors such as drop in body temperature, stress, increased levels of melatonin and even the type of light in our environment,” she added.

Many Americans are looking for a sweet yet nutritious way to crush their cravings and their hunger at the same time. Blueberries offer the perfect healthy indulgence, and Driscoll’s is making it easier than ever to incorporate these antioxidant-filled berries into your diet.

The company is offering recipes on their website for portable, sharable 3 p.m. snacks that empower you to take a fresh look at afternoon nibbling. At a mere 80 calories per cup and containing virtually no fat, this fiber-rich berry keeps you satisfied the entire afternoon. Blueberries are a super food that contain more antioxidants than many other foods and contain vitamin C to keep health in peak condition while enabling people to meet weight-loss goals.

To kick-start the healthy snacking revolution, Driscoll’s is deploying a #SnackSquad in New York City from January 13 – 17. Businesses who tweet @driscollsberry #3pmsnack will have a chance to win a visit from the  #SnackSquad team who will bring healthy snacks for the office. Driscoll’s is also working with LinkedIn in New York City and at its headquarters in Silicon Valley to provide healthy blueberry snacks to employees at 3 p.m. that same week.

*This survey was taken by more than 2,225 adults, 18+ who are active members of the Driscoll's Rewards Club.