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Fat chance, 'gorengan'. Indonesians crave healthier snacks
Two in three Indonesian adults want healthier options.
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Two in three Indonesian adults want healthier snacks. (Shutterstock/SherSor)
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nacking is a way of life for many Indonesians, according to the State of Snacking survey released by snack company Mondelez International, conducted in partnership with independent research company Harris Poll.
The inaugural report involved 6,068 participants in 12 countries aged 18 and above. The survey found that 77 percent of Indonesian respondents preferred to eat many small meals throughout the day rather than a few large ones, while 53 percent said that they did not have time to consume large meals.
For the respondents, snacking was more than just filling their bellies between meal times; 93 percent of respondents said snacking helped boost their mood, and 86 percent said it was a way to connect with others.
Interestingly, in a greasy sea of gorengan (fried foods), martabak (sweet or savory traditional pancakes) and other sinfully delicious local snacks, the study found that Indonesians wished for healthier snacks.
Mondelez Indonesia president director Sachin Prasad said at an event on Dec. 3 that two in three Indonesian adults wanted healthier snacks.
“Snacks are unusual items. You need the taste and the nutrition,” he said.
“When it comes to what Indonesians are looking for in the future, they’re basically telling us, ‘I want a treat. I want to enjoy the snacks, but I also want them to be healthy,’” said Prasad.
