A Survey of High-Protein Snack Foods
- Project start date: 12 September 2018
- Project status: Completed
- Discipline: Nutrition
- Principal researcher/s: Safefood internal research group
Research objective
- To investigate the protein intakes of adults on the island of Ireland.
- To understand consumers’ views of high-protein bars.
- To sample a selection of snack food products labelled “high protein” that are sold on the island of Ireland and review their nutritional content.
- To undertake a literature review to identify the health outcomes associated with high-protein diet.
Outputs
Research report
- Title: A survey of high-protein snack foods
- Publication date: 1 November 2019
- Summary: High-protein diets have become increasingly popular on the island of Ireland.
- Findings:
- Adults over 18 years of age were found to be consuming enough protein.
- Seventy-seven percent of the high-protein bars surveyed were high in saturated fat and a source of added salt and sugar.
- High-protein yoghurts and quark, dairy drinks and smoothies surveyed had lower saturated fat content but are a source of added salt and sugar.
- The positioning (the targeted marketing) of high-protein products makes them appear “healthy” to consumers. It is suggestive that they are a healthier alternative to other foods commonly eaten as snacks, such as confectionery and crisps, giving consumers a “halo effect”: perceiving the food to be healthier due to the presence of a nutrition claim.
- Results from the consumer survey showed that 37% of adults on the Island of Ireland (IOI) consider protein bars to be healthy. The perception of protein bars as being healthy was highest among 15-24 year olds and males.
- Just over a quarter (28%) of adults have purchased a protein bar, with 25-34 year olds most likely to have purchased at 42%. Just under one third (32%) of adults who purchase protein bars do so weekly or more often.
- People report consuming high-protein products for health and nutrition reasons. Research investigating the health benefits of high protein consumption for healthy individuals has not been consistent or conclusive. Positive outcomes for protein intakes above the RNI were only identified for those over 50 years of age
- The only benefit identified in literature to support consuming more protein than the Reference Nutrient Intake recommended amount was in older adults, to prevent sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength as a result of ageing).
- Recommendations:
- Healthy eating guidelines on the island of Ireland recommend people to get their dietary protein from whole foods. The Department of Health have designed daily meal plans for different population groups. The guidelines in both Northern Ireland and the Ireland recommend that protein requirements can be met by eating a range of foods.
- People can meet their daily protein intake requirements through consuming a varied diet that includes protein-rich whole foods at each meal.
You can download the report below.
