Definition: snacking

Snacking: you do it without even knowing it. According to a recent Ipsos study, 9 out of 10 French people snack. The evolution of our society over the last 50 years has encouraged the rise of this new type of consumption. Between meals or instead of meals, snacking is widely practised today. The most popular snack foods are dairy products (38%), savoury snacks (15%) and pastries (11%).
And snacking isn't necessarily bad for you. Eating five meals a day, with two snacks in the morning and afternoon, for example, has no effect on weight as long as your overall calorie intake remains stable and reasonable for your body type. Easy, right?
Snacking: how does it affect weight?
Given the scale of this new eating behaviour, nutritionists are beginning to question its impact on weight and health. Snacking already accounts for nearly 30% of children's daily energy intake in the United States and 20% in Europe.
Although snacking represents a "fragmentation" of daily calorie intake, and the foods involved are often high in sugar, there is no evidence that it promotes obesity. Nor, for that matter, does it promote weight loss. If snacking meets a specific energy need (hunger after a light meal, fatigue, sporting activities, etc.), nutritionists do not prohibit it. They even refer to it as "smart snacking" because it is balanced. To snack smartly, it is best to choose foods rich in protein, as they are more filling.
On the other hand, if snacking is done without hunger or need, it will add to your daily calorie intake, and weight gain is guaranteed. For a sudden craving to snack, go for a piece of fruit, for example!