Home Food Study: The Average American Spends Nearly $30K On Snacks In Their Lifetime

Study: The Average American Spends Nearly $30K On Snacks In Their Lifetime

What would you do for a lifetime supply of snacks? According to new research, a sixth of Americans would completely shave their head.

The survey of 2,000 Americans found snacks aren’t the only thing to drive respondents to extremes – the same number (16 percent) would also shave their head for a lifetime supply of chocolate.

Respondents are truly willing to go above and beyond for their treats – 18 percent of those surveyed would forgo all of their electronic devices for one full month to snag a lifetime supply of snacks.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Moonstruck Chocolate Co., the survey looked to see how much respondents would save if they took these drastic measures.

At $9.22 a week, Americans’ beloved snacks add up to $479.44 a year – meaning the average respondent will spend $28,766.40 just on snacks during their lifetime.

The survey also examined American’s snacking preferences and their favorite snack combinations.

When it comes to deciding whether to go sweet or salty, respondents were split – with 37 percent preferring something sweet and 34 percent preferring something salty.

Sweet and salty snackers have found common ground through a classic snack – potato chips, with 80 percent of sweet snackers and 84 percent of salty snackers saying it’s a staple of theirs.

Even though sweet snackers enjoy the occasional salty snack, their go-to is milk chocolate – at 83 percent.

Salty snackers also love their milk chocolate, coming in behind potato chips at 63 percent.

Respondents also seemed to be all for combining chocolate with other goodies.  Four in 10 said the top chocolate combo is alongside caramel, with chocolate and nuts closely following at 39 percent.

“Each type of chocolate offers a distinctive tasting experience, allowing for a wide variety of pairing opportunities to create unique flavor combinations,” said Megan Jeans, Research and Development Manager for Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Results showed that Americans are willing to imbibe in some unique combinations for snacking as well.

Twenty-one percent of respondents said they’d try cheddar cheese and apple pie, 18 percent would try strawberries with balsamic vinegar and 14 percent said they’d even try chocolate and pizza together.

Some respondents are truly committed to their salty preferences as well – as 11 percent said they would try bacon with vinegar.

When it comes to favorite food pairings though, nothing seems to beat the classics.

Topping the list of favorite pairings was bacon and eggs (58 percent), followed by steak and potatoes (48 percent), potato chips and dip (44 percent), pancakes and syrup (41 percent) and wine and cheese (39 percent).

“With each bite, a delicious snack can take you to another world, creating a moment all your own,” said Joanna Hartvickson, Director of Marketing and Product Management for Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

LIFETIME FORMULA: Americans spend $9.22 on snacks a week x 52 = $479.44/year x 60 years in a lifetime = $28,766.40

 

AMERICA’S TOP 5 CHOCOLATE PAIRINGS
1. Chocolate and caramel                   40%
2. Chocolate and nuts                          39%
3. Chocolate and strawberries            34%
4. Chocolate and wine                          25%
5. Chocolate and banana                     21%

AMERICA’S TOP 5 FOOD PAIRINGS
1. Bacon and eggs                   58%
2. Steak and potatoes             48%
3. Potato chips and dip           44%
4. Pancakes and syrup            41%
5. Wine and cheese                 39%

TOP 10 FOOD PAIRINGS AMERICANS WOULD TRY
1. French fries and mayo                                         48%
2. Steak and ketchup                                               36%
3. Bacon and maple syrup                                       30%
4. Cheddar cheese and apple pie                            21%
5. Balsamic vinegar and strawberries                     16%
6. Tuna salad and hot sauce                                   15%
7. Chocolate and pizza                                            14%
8. French fries and honey                                        12%
9. Banana and cheese                                             11%
10. Bacon and vinegar                                             11%