65% of Indians now recognise almonds as a top high-protein snack; Here's why

A new survey has revealed that an overwhelming 65% of Indians now identify almonds as a high-protein snack, with the recognition particularly strong in tier-II cities such as Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram.

The findings, based on a survey of 4,300 respondents across 17 cities, indicate that almonds are gaining broader acceptance as a protein-rich snack outside of major metropolitan areas.

The report, conducted by YouGov in collaboration with the Almond Board of California, highlighted that tier-II cities such as Coimbatore, Guwahati, and Indore are leading the trend, with 34%, 34%, and 31% of respondents, respectively, associating almonds with high protein. Interestingly, the acknowledgment of almonds as a high-protein snack was higher in these cities than in larger cities.


The survey also pointed to regional and age-based variations in almond consumption. In North India, nearly 25% of respondents associated almonds with muscle recovery, while in West India, approximately 33% linked almonds to hunger control.

Age-based trends revealed that Gen-Z individuals are particularly focused on almonds' benefits for skin health, while Millennials and Gen-X prioritize the protein content, with 56% citing this as the main reason for incorporating almonds into their diets.

On average, Indians consume 6-8 almonds per day, with 43% of respondents eating them first thing in the morning, and 24% including them as part of their breakfast. Additionally, the survey found that 55% of Indians consider almonds an ideal snack during the day, indicating their growing popularity.

The survey also noted that recognition of almonds' protein content is notably high in cities such as Ludhiana (69%), Bangalore (63%), and Delhi-NCR and Ahmedabad (58% each), reinforcing the shift toward healthier snack choices across the country.

(With inputs from PTI)