# Protein 2.0 As consumers become busier, their snacking tastes turn to paleo-friendly meat. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Apr 14, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/protein-20 ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Protein 2.0 trend? **Protein 2.0:** In a society where work ethic is considered a testament to one's character, high energy levels are of the utmost importance. This, combined with an increased health-consciousness and hesitation toward chemically created products, has consumers turning to more simplistic, longer-lasting forms of energy assistance, such as protein-laden meat snacks. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 14, 2013 to Mar 22, 2016 - Published: Apr 14, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Protein 2.0 trend ### Protein-laden Meat Snacks Consumers are turning to more simplistic, longer-lasting forms of energy assistance, such as protein-laden meat snacks. ### Creative Packaging Design Brands are using creative packaging design to attract consumers to their meat snack products. ### Plant-Based Jerky Plant-based jerky snacks are becoming increasingly popular as consumers attempt to improve their snacking habits. ## What the Protein 2.0 trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Many of these trends have significant implications for the food and beverage industry, especially those involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of meat snacks. ### For Packaging and Branding The creative packaging design trend has broad implications for packaging and branding companies looking to cater to clients in the meat snack industry. ### For Health and Wellness The popularity of plant-based jerky snacks suggests that the health and wellness industry may have an opportunity to capitalize on this trend by offering similar, healthier snacks to consumers. ## Trend signals for Protein 2.0 Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 40%, activity 57%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 40% - Activity: 57% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Protein 2.0 trend 8 featured examples from Dec 14, 2013 to Mar 22, 2016. - [Butchered Snack Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-meat-jerky-packaging): Real Meat Jerky Packaging Presents Itself Simply But Successfully (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovative packaging that tells a brand's story through design can help capture a consumer's attention and become a regular household name in this industry. - [Healthy Buffalo Jerky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-jerky): Patagonia's Buffalo Meat Snack is Ideal for Taking on Long Trips (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunities for companies to innovate in the healthy snack market with buffalo jerky. - [Hatched Snack Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shmat-meat-packaging): Shmat Meat Packaging Has a Rough Aesthetic to Appeal to the Rugged Man (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food packaging industry can explore incorporating rough aesthetics and hand-doodled illustrations to create visually captivating packaging that stands out on store shelves. - [Nostalgic Adult Protein Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-protein-packs): These Oscar Mayer P3 Portable Protein Packs are Snacks for Adults (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Food companies can use this concept to develop more healthy snack lines for adults who are trying to achieve a balanced lifestyle. - [Coconut Jerky Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-snacks): Mighty Bee Makes Alternative Natural Snacks from Coconuts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovate and develop a new product line of natural, gluten-free snacks that cater to health-conscious consumers looking for healthier snacking options. - [Coffee-Flavored Jerky Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-jerky): This Spicy Jerky is Infused with Savory Coffee Flavor (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovation in creating gourmet jerky flavors and coffee-infused snacks within the food and beverage industry. - [Re-Invented Canned Meats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canned-meats): These Spam Treats Ditch the Can for a More Accessible Snacking Pouch (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Established brands can expand their product line by adapting their traditional offerings into snack-sized, portable portions to capitalize on changing consumer habits. - [Coconut-Based Jerky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dried-coconut-meat): Cocoburg's Dried Coconut Meat Snacks are Branded as Raw Vegan Jerky (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the trend of coconut-based jerky by developing new products that incorporate innovative plant-based ingredients and offer healthie… ## Recent trend clusters - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Calm Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/calm-monitoring) (Lifestyle) - [Performance Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/performance-powders) (Lifestyle) - [Task Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/task-beverages) (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) - [Rapid Concussion Screening Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infrared-eye-tracking) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)