Millennial Moms Report Daily Struggles To Find Personal Time, Often Eat Meals On The Go

Millennial moms are finding it increasingly difficult to carve out even small moments for themselves, often resorting to snacks and meals on the go, according to a new survey.

The survey of 2,000 millennial moms commissioned by Sun-Maid Farmstand Reserve and conducted by Talker Research found that nearly a third (29%) get less than 30 minutes of personal time on an average day. A full 65% said they rarely have a moment to themselves at all. The lack of downtime has left many disoriented — one in seven moms admitted to “always” forgetting what day it is due to how busy they are.

This fast-paced lifestyle often leads to disrupted eating habits. Half of the moms surveyed (51%) couldnt remember the last time they ate a meal without feeling rushed. When they do manage to eat, the car is the top location for a quick snack break (51%), followed by while taking care of kids (39%), doing chores (31%), or cooking (24%).

Snacking while multitasking has become the norm for many. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they eat something on the go every day, even if 44% of them would rather not. Likewise, 31% reported eating while standing daily — 39% of them doing so out of necessity rather than choice. On average, the surveyed moms consume two meals or snacks a day while standing or in transit. For a quarter of respondents (24%), that applies to nearly every meal.

Snacks are often stashed for convenience — 46% of moms keep snacks in their purse, 38% in their car, 33% in their work bag, and 19% even in their nightstand. Some have found creative places to grab a bite, citing locations like “the shower,” “on the treadmill,” and even “sitting in service at church.”

Popular snacks include chips (53%), crackers (52%), string cheese (48%), granola or protein bars (48%), and fresh fruit (45%). While traditional favorites like chips (88%) and candy (86%) remain popular, some moms have begun gravitating toward more health-conscious options. Twenty-seven percent said theyve developed a fondness for nuts and trail mix, and 34% said the same for dried fruit.

“As moms lives evolve, so do their taste buds. We’ve seen how todays snacking choices reflect a shift toward more mindful, elevated flavors. While chips and sweets still hold a special place, more moms are developing a taste for snacks like dried fruit—snacks that satisfy not just hunger, but a craving for something a little more sophisticated. Thats why we created the grown-up fruit snack,” said Steve Loftus, President and CEO of Sun-Maid Growers of California.

When personal time does arise, 87% of moms say they savor it. Most commonly, they spend that time scrolling their phones (58%), enjoying a bite or drink (47%), or listening to music (42%). Others embrace silence (47%) or close their eyes to enjoy the moment (42%). Still, 64% wish they had more of these peaceful pauses.

Nearly half (46%) shared that they snack more since becoming a parent. Yet many havent found a new favorite in a while — 37% said its been months since they discovered a new go-to snack.

Most millennial moms (90%) eat the same snacks as their children, and 57% do so even when their children arent around. Reasons include convenience (49%), household availability (54%), and simple enjoyment (45%). For 30%, the appeal stems from having loved those same snacks as children.

“Theres something special about sharing a snack youve loved since childhood,” Loftus said. “We believe the best snacks bring generations together — unique to fit todays cravings, delicious for the whole family and timeless enough to pass down.”