Americans Go for Sweet Snacks, Canadians Opt for Salty

CHICAGO -- Americans are sweeter than their Canadian counterparts when it comes to their eating habits. Two studies released by The NPD Group today revealed Americans will increase their consumption of sweet snacks and desserts three times more than Canadians during the next 10 years. Canadians tend to eschew sweet treats more than Americans. Instead, they prefer salty or savory snacks foods, including cheese, chips and crackers, according to the studies, named "A Look into the Future of Eating -- Canadian Marketplace" and "A Look into the Future of Eating -- United States Marketplace."

Americans differ from their neighbors to the north when it comes to breakfast as well. Americans are projected to increase their consumption of heat-and-eat foods, such as bagels and frozen pancakes. Canadians are expected to decrease consumption of those breakfast foods during the next 10 years. According to The NPD Group, Americans also will eat more salads, warm side dishes and main meals with proteins, including meat and fish, during the next decade.

Americans and Canadians surveyed were alike in one facet: Convenience meals, such as yogurt, fruit, snack bars, canned soup and frozen pizza, are projected to grow equally in both countries over the next 10 years.

"Eating behaviors are influenced by a variety of factors and certainly culture is among those factors," said Ann Hanson, executive director, product development, NPD U.S., and author of the U.S. study. "Americans and Canadians have many of the same foods and beverages available to them, but what, how, when and where we eat does reflect the totality of a country's culture."