Half in U.S. snack at least twice a day CHICAGO, May 20 (UPI) -- Nearly half of the U.S. population snacks at least twice a day, researchers said. Recent snacking reports from market research firms Technomic, Packaged Facts and SymphonyIRI found: Seven in 10 snacks were eaten in the home, but workplace snacking is on the rise. Retail sales of packaged snacks are estimated to reach $76.8 billion by 2015. When it comes to snack time, three of four consumers tend to snack in the mid-afternoon and four in 10 people snack mid-mornings, mid-evening, and late at night. Half of consumers want snacks that offer an energy boost. Snacks such as trail mix and hummus were the highest-grossing snacks in 2011, up 11.1 percent and 10.5 percent respectively. Three in 10 snacks consumed last year were beverages. Vegetarian items, ethnic street-food-inspired appetizers, charcuterie and bite-sized hors d'oeuvres are the top trendy appetizers for 2012. Two-thirds of women say it's important that snack portions not be too large. Parents are looking for snacks with added nutrients for their children. 60 percent of consumers said the most desired healthy snack attributes are no trans-fat and "beyond basic nutrition," e.g., antioxidants. The findings were published in Food Technology magazine.