Celebrate National Snack Day on March 4 and treat yourself to your favorite snacks! After all, snacking is an important part of life. People have been enjoying snacks since ancient times, when they used natural ingredients like nuts, fruits and grains to satisfy their cravings between meals. Today there are so many delicious snack options available that it can be hard to decide which one you should enjoy first!
National Snack Day Timeline 10,000 BC — The First Snacks
Human eating habits shift; we begin experimenting with foods leading to the creation of the first snacks made of grains, nuts, and fruits.
3000 BC — Bread as Ancient Snack
The Egyptians started baking bread, a food item that came to be widely used as a snack throughout history.
500 BC — Popcorn: A Snack Hits Its Stride
Popcorn, made by heating kernels, serves as a lightweight and easy-to-carry snack for many ancient cultures, notably American Indian tribes.
1853 — Inception of Potato Chips
Restaurant cook George Crum invents the potato chip in response to a customer complaint about thick french fries, making it a popular snack.
1930 — Twinkies Come on the Scene
The first packaged snack cake, the Twinkie, is invented by James Dewar, fostering a whole new genre in the snack industry.
2017 — National Snack Day
National Snack Day is officially recognized in the U.S., giving snack lovers a day to celebrate and indulge in their favorite treats.
How to Celebrate National Snack Day
1. Create a snack board: Gather up all your favorite snacks, such as chips and dip, pretzels, popcorn, crackers, nuts, and candy and arrange them on a large board or platter. Place the board in the center of the table and enjoy.
2. Host a snack tasting party: Invite your friends over for an evening of snacks and rating. Everyone brings their favorite snacks and you provide the rating cards. Enjoy trying out all the different snacks while rating each one.
3. Visit a local bakery: Treat yourself to some of the best snacks around. Visit a local bakery for freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, brownies, muffins, pies or cake.
4. Make your own snacks: Take some time to make your own snacks. Whip up some guacamole and tortilla chips, bake some sweet potato fries with your favorite seasonings, or try making popcorn balls.
5. Organize a snack drive: Organize a snack drive for a local food pantry or homeless shelter. Collect donations from friends and family or ask local stores for donations of nonperishable snack items such as granola bars, crackers, chips, nuts, dried fruit and candy.
Why We Love National Snack
Day A. Snacks are convenient
Snacks are great for busy days when you don’t have time to sit down and eat a full meal. They’re quick and easy to prepare, and can provide you with the boost of energy you need to get through your day. Plus, there’s a wide variety of snacks available today, from healthy options like nuts and fruits, to indulgent treats like cookies and cakes.
B. Snacks promote creativity
With snacks, the possibilities are endless! There are so many different flavor combinations that you can try, from sweet and salty mixes to savory delicacies. From trail mix and granola bars to pita chips with hummus - get creative and have fun in the kitchen trying out new recipes!
C. Snacks are a healthy choice
By making healthier snack choices such as nuts, seeds or fresh fruit, you can help keep yourself energized throughout the day without packing on extra calories. Snacking can also be a great way to add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet that may be lacking from other meals or drinks.
The Most Popular Snack in the US Will Surprise You
When you think about your must-have snack, is it sweet or salty? What about the most popular snack in the nation? While many might assume salty chips are the favorite munchie to enjoy at home or on the go, the results may surprise you.
The most loved American snack is on the sweeter side, but it starts with a plain cereal transformed into chewy, tasty squares that give you all the nostalgic vibes.
Rice Krispies Treats Are America’s Most Popular Snack The customer and data-centric platform HubScore recently released its Favorite Snack By State Report, showcasing the most sought-after munchies nationwide. The winner? Rice Krispies Treats.
The study showcased which snacks were most sought after in each given state. Rice Krispies Treats took the lead as the go-to in 18 northern states spanning both coasts, beating the likes of other big-name contenders, such as Lay's and Cheetos.
Doritos was close behind, conquering 16 states, mainly in the South, with Cheetos being the popular choice in eight states around the Southwest.
Three states—Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming—were all about the Fritos, while two states up north—Connecticut and New York—favored Lay's. Let's not forget the people of Hawaii, Montana, and North Dakota who enjoyed snacking on Chex Mix the most.
The numbers don't lie; nothing is as desired as Rice Krispies Treats. Made with only a few simple ingredients that include butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies, it's no wonder these yummy confections are a muchloved snack by most states within the U.S.