Perception of fruit as a snack: A comparison with manufactured snack foods

Perception of manufactured snack foods and fresh fruit was studied in 51 women working in Edinburgh. There were distinct differences between the two types of product. Fresh fruit and a canned snack fruit product were perceived as healthy and refreshing. Manufactured snack foods generally were perceived as both more convenient and more suitable for indulgence and comfort eating. Convenience aspects included storability, predictability of eating quality and absence of waste and mess. Among the fruit, bananas and apples were perceived as more convenient than oranges and kiwifruit. The authors offer suggestions on how fruit consumption might be increased as part of a mobile, snacking lifestyle. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.