Chicory root, a once-obscure ingredient, has appeared in several new packaged snack foods across city grocery shelves this spring. On Friday morning at a West Village bodega, energy bars and granola clusters using chicory root fiber sat alongside established brands, priced between $3 and $5 per pack. The ingredient is being marketed for its high fiber content and digestive benefits.
Registered dietitian Amy Shapiro described chicory root as meeting "a lot of health boxes" for consumers, highlighting its prebiotic fiber. Food labels now list chicory root extract or inulin as a primary component. Local snack companies have begun to shift from oats and wheat to this alternative fiber source.
At Union Square Greenmarket, several vendors said customers have asked about chicory root snacks in the past two weeks. One distributor said demand is highest among shoppers looking to increase fiber intake without added sugar.
Nutritionists caution that while chicory root can aid digestion, it may also cause discomfort for some people. The FDA recognizes inulin, derived from chicory root, as safe for consumption, but recommends moderation for those new to high-fiber diets.
The trend comes as school lunches and after-school programs look for ways to include more plant-based fiber. Commercial snack brands are expected to increase production of chicory-based products through the summer.