We Love Our Snacks!

Nearly half of the U.S. population snacks at least twice a day, researchers say. 

Recent snacking reports from market research firms Technomic, Packaged Facts and SymphonyIRI found:

• Seven in 10 snacks are eaten in the home, but workplace snacking is on the rise.
• Retail sales of packaged snacks are estimated to reach $76.8 billion by 2015.
• When it comes to snack time, three of four consumers snack in the mid-afternoon and four in 10 people snack mid-mornings, mid-evening, and late at night.
• Half of consumers want snacks that offer an energy boost.
• Snacks such as trail mix and hummus were the highest-grossing snacks in 2011, up 11.1% and 10.5%, respectively.
• Three in 10 snacks consumed last year were beverages.

What's your favorite snack?  When is your favorite time of day to snack?