In addition to its expanding range of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is also focused on enhancing the healthiness of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Among the recent innovations are Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which provide 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest chips, made from vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, offering only 35 calories per cup, according to Food Business News. Furthermore, there is a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that contain half the sodium of their original counterparts. Frito-Lay is also exploring the possibility of producing chips made from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
Snacking is a strong performer for PepsiCo, with its latest earnings report indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing beverages, traditionally a cornerstone of the soda giant’s business. The trend towards snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has resonated with many busy consumers, a shift that has not gone unnoticed by brand marketers and retailers. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times daily, and 70% believe any food can serve as a snack.
A study by Datassential shows that consumers typically consume about four to five snacks each day. However, people tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—such as fruit, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables. In reality, they consume more salty and crunchy snacks, with nearly half (48%) eating at least one salty snack daily, according to Datassential’s findings. Chips are often viewed as the archetypal salty, crunchy snack, but they don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This demographic not only represents the largest segment in U.S. history—comprising 23.4% of the total population—but they are also emerging as the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers eager to engage this group understand the necessity of offering appealing flavors and healthier options or reformulating existing products to align with better-for-you standards.
Other companies are also responding to the trend towards healthier snacking. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. While these chips diverge from the typical unhealthy potato chips, their caloric content remains unchanged. As Pringles Marketing Director Kurt Simon stated to CNN Money, “We’re not trying to convey that the new crisps are better for you.”
Frito-Lay is clearly committed to reducing saturated fats and salt in its offerings, in line with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report published in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi noted that the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016, compared to 2015 baselines” across its top 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has set ambitious nutrition goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay appears to be making strides to meet these targets. As long as consumers embrace the company’s new interpretation of what constitutes a chip, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay seem to be on the right path.
Additionally, for consumers seeking to enhance their nutrition even further, incorporating supplements like Citracal calcium supplement can complement a balanced diet. By focusing on healthier snacking options and encouraging nutritional awareness, Frito-Lay and similar companies are paving the way for a new era of snacks that can coexist with health-conscious choices, including the use of Citracal calcium supplement as part of a comprehensive approach to wellness.