The survey, which polled more than 1,000 US residents, found that 72% of American consumers believe seafood is important to their health and nutrition.

New research from Mintel reveals that the top reason Americans say they snack is to treat themselves (50%) and more than one quarter (28%) agree that taste is more important than health when choosing a snack.  

Shellfish, which tends to be more costly and therefore to some consumers riskier to prepare at home, appear to be the seafood of choice when dining out, reports The NPD Group, a leading global information company.

Health concerns are largely driving consumers to eat seafood and vegetarian dishes, presenting an opportunity that operators and suppliers can leverage to drive traffic and grow sales. However, to broaden appeal, restaurants must overcome preconceptions regarding these dishes, which might otherwise deter consumers.

While Americans want the option of seasonal food and drink throughout the year, over three-quarters (78%) consider seasonal dishes to be a treat and more than two in five (42%) say they are willing to pay more for a seasonal dish when dining out.

Although most snack foods are eaten between meals, snack foods eaten at main meals now represent 24% of all snack food eatings, which is up from 21% five years ago, according to NPD’s continual tracking of US consumers snacking attitudes and behaviors.  

While not fully committing to a meat-free lifestyle, ‘Meatless Mondays’ seem to be catching on among Americans as a way to cut back with new research from Mintel revealing that the top reason US consumers use meat alternatives is because they occasionally like to have meat-free days (31%).

When dinner happens at home, more than one-third (35%) of consumers prepare the meal from scratch (using individual ingredients).

Consumers are interested in protein, fiber and whole grains when purchasing foods they consider to be healthy.

Sales of salty favorites—including potato chips, pretzels and popcorn—and portable meat products—such as jerky—have mostly displayed growth potential or at least remained steady over the past five years.  The snack industry has likewise benefitted from the influx of healthier formulations that better fit the nutrition-centered lifestyles of many of today’s consumers.