# Cognitive Snacking Child-friendly snack and beverage items include brain-boosting ingredients. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Feb 22, 2021 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cognitive-snacking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.1/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Cognitive Snacking trend? **Cognitive Snacking:** Brands offering snack products for children are now highlighting that their foods are designed to help develop health cognitive functioning in children. These convenient, kid-friendly products include everything from yogurts to snack bars. ## The consumer insight behind the Cognitive Snacking trend Millennial parenting is defined by open-mindedness, the use of technology in the process of raising children, and using the same healthy ingredients and habits that they follow in their own children's rituals. As things like wellness and natural cognitive enhancements are a part of many Millennial lifestyles in the form of nootropics, they'd like to be able to translate the same to their children in a way that's both safe and convenient. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 28, 2019 to Nov 1, 2022 - Published: Feb 22, 2021 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Cognitive Snacking trend ### Cognitive Snacks Brands are offering snack products for children that are designed to help develop healthy cognitive functioning in children. ### Functional Ingredients Companies are adding functional ingredients such as Omega-3s, DHA, and Choline to their products to support brain health and development. ### Healthy Convenience Products are designed with convenience in mind, making it easier for parents to provide healthy and nourishing snacks for their children on the go. ## What the Cognitive Snacking trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Food and beverage industries can incorporate functional ingredients to develop products aimed for healthy and cognitive development for children. ### For Parenting and Childcare Products such as these highlight trends in Millennial parenting preferences that prioritize health and wellness in their children's diet. ### For Nutrition and Wellness The use of nootropics and functional ingredients are examples of how nutrition and wellness industries can develop products for healthy cognitive development and maintenance. ## Workshop question How is your brand prioritizing both convenience and health? ## Trend signals for Cognitive Snacking Trend score 6.1 out of 10, from popularity 91%, activity 78%, freshness 13%. - Popularity: 91% - Activity: 78% - Freshness: 13% ## Examples of the Cognitive Snacking trend 9 featured examples from Feb 28, 2019 to Nov 1, 2022. - [Brain-Supporting Snack Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-bar): Cerebelly's Smart Bars Support Growing Young Minds (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Cerebelly's Smart Bars tap into the growing nutrition industry, with a focus on innovative products that offer science-backed nutrition and clean, transparent ingredients. - [Brain-Boosting Snack Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-bars): Cerebelly x Peppa Pig Smart Bars Contain Brain-Supporting Nutrients (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Provides a disruptive innovation opportunity to develop functional food products for kids that support their early brain development. - [Brain-Boosting Protein Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantpowered-protein-bar): The Brain Boost Plant-Powered Protein Bar Supports Brain Health (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The health and wellness industry can leverage the trend of plant-based protein bars with unique health benefits to create new and innovative product offerings. - [Gen Z Nootropic Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nootropic-drinks): Local Weather is a Brain-Boosting Hydration Beverage (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The beverage industry can appeal to Gen Z by creating new drinks with nootropic benefits and unique collaborations. - [Brain-Boosting Peanut Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peanut-butter-blends): Brainiac Peanut Butter Blends are Enriched with Omegas & Choline (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: This industry can innovate by infusing more functional ingredients into everyday foods to better serve consumers who are prioritizing health and wellness. - [Baby-Friendly Baking Mixes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-baby-made-simple-mixes): Happy Baby Made Simple Mixes Support Healthy Development in Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for organic baby food companies to increase their production and expand their offerings to include organic baking mixes like Happy Baby Made Simple Mixes. - [Kid-Friendly Nutritional Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kidzshake): Kidzshake Helps to Fill in Nutritional Gaps & Support Development (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Companies can explore the production of nutrition-based products that cater to the specific needs of children. - [Kid-Nourishing Whole Milks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/growing-years): Horizon Organic's Growing Years Milk Supports Kids Ages One to Five (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: This trend presents an opportunity for organic dairy companies to develop and market specialized milk products that cater to the nutritional needs of young children. - [Brain-Supporting Yogurt Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/line-of-yogurt): Brainiac Kids is a Line of Yogurt to Boost Developing Brains (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: With growing concerns about health and wellness in society, there is an opportunity for more companies to create products that help consumers improve their overall health and well… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)