UK consumers have cut down on consumption of all snacks over the past year, according to new research from Mintel.

The findings highlight that chocolate, which in 2014 was Britains most eaten snack tied with fresh fruit, has fallen as a snack choice by 9% over the course of a year. Whilst over two thirds (68%) ate the snack in the month to December 2014, a year later in December 2015 just 59% said they ate the treat between meals.

Whats more, in the same time frame, the number of Brits snacking on crisps and crisp style snacks fell from 67% to 57%, the proportion snacking on sweets dropped from 40% to 29%, those snacking on cakes and sweet baked goods declined to 39% from 51% and an 11% dro in usage was seen in the pie, pastry and sausage roll segment with just 25% of consumers snacking on these products in the month to December 2015.

However, its not just unhealthy treats which are seeing a dro in consumption. Although still Britains favourite snack, the number of consumers eating fresh fruit outside of mealtimes dropped from 68% in December 2014 to 61% in the month to December 2015, and the proportion snacking on fresh vegetables dropped from 32% to 21%.

However, Brits are far from snack-free. Overall, 95% of Brits ate snacks in the month to December 2015, down by just 2% in 2014.

Amy Price, senior food and drink analyst at Mintel, comments, "Snacking in the UK is almost universal, however health considerations continue to play a significant role in the market. Health remains an ongoing issue for consumers, with calorie and sugar content of high relevance, and as swathes of the population try to address this it appears to have had a knock on effect on consumer snacking.

"Currently new product development is failing to cater to the demand for healthier products, suggesting scope for innovation in healthier variants to be used to appeal to health conscious consumers."

Almost 70% of those who eat snacks say that cutting down on snacks is an easy way to reduce calorie intake. Amongst snackers there is a strong demand for healthier snacks, with 70% of snackers agreeing that snack manufacturers should do more to reduce sugar in snacks. Additionally, over half (55%) of snack eaters say they would be interested in snacks sweetened with sugar alternatives, such as honey or agave syrup, and 54% would be interested in healthier versions of their favourite snacks, such as low fat crisps.

And going forward, consumer demand for healthier options is the key attribute snackers will pay more for. Almost one quarter (22%) say theyd pay more for all natural snacks, for instance snack products that contain no artificial colouring or flavouring, whilst 19% would pay more for a snack with a low calorie count and 18% would pay more for a snack with nutritional benefits, for example snacks high in fibre.