# Hearty Handheld Seeking convenience without skimping, consumers turn to hearty handheld foods. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 29, 2016 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/hearty-handheld ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.2/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Hearty Handheld trend? **Hearty Handheld:** No longer sticking to strictly healthy, lighter fare, snack foods are adopting heartier fillings and ingredients as a filling meal alternative. As today’s consumer continues to battle tight schedules, carving out time for sit-down meals becomes increasingly difficult. As a result, a need for more convenient, yet filling snack food options arise. Reformatting traditional sit-down meals -- like full dinners, or traditional breakfast staples -- into easy-to-eat, handheld alternatives satiates the conflicting consumer desires for comfort and convenience. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 7, 2015 to Apr 10, 2016 - Published: Mar 29, 2016 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Hearty Handheld trend ### Heartier Snack Foods Consumers are seeking more filling snack options in lieu of traditional sit-down meals, driving the adoption of heartier ingredients and fillings in handheld foods. ### Handheld Convenience Increased demand for portable food options has driven the development and popularity of handheld meals, such as wraps and burritos, that can be eaten on the go. ### Hybridization The creation of hybrid dishes, such as hash brown-stuffed burritos, that combine two popular and complementary food items is a food industry trend catering to consumers' demand for variety and convenience. ## What the Hearty Handheld trend means for industry ### For Fast Food The fast food industry, in particular, has embraced and promoted the trend of handheld convenience through the development and marketing of portable food items. ### For Frozen Foods Frozen food companies are tapping into the trend of hand-held convenience by developing frozen handheld pies as a quick and easy meal option for time-pressed consumers. ### For Snack Foods Snack food companies are innovating with heartier snack options, tapping into the trend of meal substitutes that provide filling sustenance to time-pressed consumers. ## Workshop question What would a condensed version of your product or service look like? What about an expanded version? ## Trend signals for Hearty Handheld Trend score 3.2 out of 10, from popularity 42%, activity 46%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 42% - Activity: 46% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Hearty Handheld trend 7 featured examples from Jul 7, 2015 to Apr 10, 2016. - [Handheld Fried Egg Breakfasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huevos-estrellados): The Restaurant is Selling Huevos Estrellados in Portable Chip Bags (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food industry can capitalize on creating innovative, to-go meal options for busy consumers. - [Spicy Handheld Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crunchwrap-sliders): These Spicy Crunchwrap Sliders are Made for Snacking on the Go (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can incorporate the trend for handheld food items by offering innovative, portable menu items that cater to busy consumers. - [Handheld Australian Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/australian-pies): This Company is Selling Snack-Sized Versions of a Popular Australian Dish (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Manufacturers can explore new flavor combinations and packaging innovations to create portable and snack-sized food products that appeal to busy consumers. - [Snack Food-Stuffed Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheetos-crunchwrap-slider): The New Cheetos Crunchwrap Slider is Made with Spicy Cheese Puffs (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can innovate their menus by incorporating popular snack foods into their dishes, attracting new customers and creating buzz. - [Hash Brown-Stuffed Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-breakfast-wrap): This Hybrid Breakfast Wrap Combines Two Dishes into One (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for fast food chains to capitalize on the demand for hybrid breakfast wraps and expand their breakfast offerings. - [Convenient Buffalo Chicken Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-chicken): The Trader Joe's Buffalo Chicken Wrap Eliminates Mess On-the-Go (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: There is an opportunity for companies in the convenience food industry to develop more nutritious and convenient options like the Buffalo Chicken Wrap to cater to busy consumers. - [Cheesy Breakfast Tacos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-breakfast): This Dish Provides a Handheld Breakfast Solution for Consumers on the Go (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can capitalize on the growing demand for breakfast options and offer convenient handheld solutions for busy consumers. ## 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)