A study into UK eating habits found 18 to 29-year-olds are increasingly choosing “artisan” options like edamame beans, spiced chickpeas and stuffed olives – often paired with premium drinks like kombucha.
The shift in taste comes at a cost. Gen Z snackers are happy to spend around £12 on a single evening treat – more than double the £5.50 typically spent by older generations.
While that might not sound like much, the numbers add up quickly. Spending £12 a few times a week could mean hundreds – even thousands – of pounds a year going on non-essential extras.
This trend highlights what personal finance experts often call the “little treats trap” – where frequent, small purchases quietly build into significant monthly spending.
Gen Z are also the most frequent snackers, with more than half admitting to late-night “secret snacking” during the week.
Millennials follow closely behind, spending an average of £11.50 per snack, while Gen X spend closer to £7.90.
The research suggests younger adults are prioritising experience and quality over cost, with six in ten describing their snacks as “posh” or “artisan”.
Traditional options like crisps are falling out of favour, with fewer than one in five Gen Z choosing them as a go-to.
A spokesperson for Ryvita said: “Tastes in snacking are becoming more sophisticated. People still enjoy classic options, but there’s a clear shift towards variety and snacks that feel a bit more premium or considered.”
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What it means for your budget
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying better-quality food, the findings underline how easy it is for lifestyle spending to creep up unnoticed.
Cutting back just a few £10–£12 treats each week could free up meaningful extra cash over the course of a year.
In a cost-conscious climate, it’s often not the big expenses that make the difference – but the small, everyday habits that quietly add up.
