# Portioned Confection Traditional desserts are transformed into packaged, bar forms. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Nov 6, 2018 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/portioned-confection ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Portioned Confection trend? **Portioned Confection:** The transformation of traditional desserts, ranging from cakes to meringues, into packaged bar forms allows for a re-shifting in marketing tactics for these items. Rather than framing them as an indulgence, these smaller, packaged items allow brands to sell them as healthier alternatives. ## The consumer insight behind the Portioned Confection trend Modern diet culture means consumers increasingly understanding that extreme calorie-restricting can be unhealthy and unsustainable in the long term. Consumers are increasingly seeking out balanced indulgences in the process of achieving their health goals in order to remain committed to them. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 10, 2017 to Nov 3, 2018 - Published: Nov 6, 2018 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Portioned Confection trend ### Transformation of Traditional Desserts into Packaged Bar Forms Offering traditional desserts in smaller, bar forms provides marketers re-shifting options, reframing them as healthier, indulgent alternatives to appeal to health-conscious consumers. ### Alternative, Health-Conscious Indulgences In meeting consumer demand for balanced indulgences, companies are formulating snacks of a variety of flavors, including birthday cake and red velvet, that are low in sugar and calories, while high in protein, targeting high-protein diets and alternative regimes. ### Protein Bars in Candy Bar-Like Forms Protein bars that resemble candy bars in form and taste, low in sugar, offer a sufficient amount of protein to curb hunger levels, while satisfying nutritional needs as meal replacements and post-workout snacks. ## What the Portioned Confection trend means for industry ### For Confection Industry Companies in this industry can leverage the trend of transforming desserts into packaged bar forms, offering healthier, indulgent alternatives, to appeal to health-conscious consumers. ### For Fitness Industry Fitness training centers, gyms, and nutritionists can refer to the trend of introducing a variety of low-calorie, protein-packed snacks to offer clients a healthy way to satiate hunger while satisfying their sweet tooth. ### For Healthy Lifestyle Industry Marketers involved in promoting healthy lifestyles can focus on the trend of presenting protein bars with a candy bar-like form and flavor, that offer low sugar, and advertise these products as guilt-free treats to curb hunger levels. ## Workshop question How could your brand repackage its product/service in a way that highlights an alternate value? ## Trend signals for Portioned Confection Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 54%, activity 50%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 54% - Activity: 50% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Portioned Confection trend 6 featured examples from Feb 10, 2017 to Nov 3, 2018. - [Birthday Dessert Protein Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birthday-cake-protein-bar): The Grenade Carb Killa Birthday Cake Protein Bar is Scrumptious (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The health food industry has an opportunity to innovate with new flavors and formats of high-protein and low-sugar products to meet consumer demand. - [High-Protein Dessert Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-cakes): The thinkThin Protein Cakes are Low in Sugar and Packed with Protein (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The high-protein and alternative diet trends point to an increased demand for health food products like the thinkThin Protein Cakes. - [Protein-Packed Marshmallow Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marshmallow-crisp-snacks): Cloud10's Marshmallow Crisp Snacks are Protein Bar Alternatives (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Potential for disruptive innovation in the snack food industry by introducing high-protein, better-for-you treats. - [Portable Protein-Rich Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cake-bites): Optimum Nutrition's Cake Bites Come in Red Velvet and Birthday Flavors (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities in the sports nutrition industry to create protein products that go beyond traditional flavors and textures. - [Low-Calorie Meringue Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meringue-bar): Flower & White Offers Meringues in a Form Other Than the Classic Drop (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for confectionery brands to create low-calorie dessert options that cater to health-conscious consumers. - [High-Protein Candy Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-candy-bar): MuscleTech's Candy Bar Provides 20 Grams of Protein & Three Grams of Sugar (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: There's potential for companies to create and market high-protein snack products like MuscleTech's candy bars to health-conscious 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)