With the outbreak of COVID-19, our relationship with food has changed. Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones who has been able to maintain your regular eating habits, but for many of us, the pandemic has meant having to change the way we buy, prepare and consume food.
For those of us who are now working from home, cooking meals from scratch has become the new norm. This has meant spending more time in the kitchen and getting to know our ingredient cupboards a whole lot better. With restaurants and cafes closed, we’ve had to get creative with our cooking, using up ingredients that we may have previously neglected.
For those who are still working outside the home, takeaways and quick meals have become a more popular option. With less time to cook, we’re relying on convenience foods to see us through.
There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has had a big impact on the way we eat. But as we continue to adapt to this new normal, one thing is certain – our relationship with food will never be the same again.
In recent months, the outbreak of COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the way we buy, prepare and consume food.
The virus has forced us to reconsider our relationship with food, and in many cases, has completely changed the way we think about it.
For many of us, food is no longer just something that we consume for nourishment. It has become a source of comfort and even a source of anxiety.
In a survey of 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom, it was found that almost half of respondents said that their relationship with food had changed since the outbreak of the virus.1
What has become clear is that the pandemic has forced us to reassess our relationship with food and to think about it in a entirely new way.
The way we buy food has changed
One of the most immediate changes that the pandemic has brought about is the way we buy food.
With the closure of restaurants, cafes and bars, many of us have been cooking at home more than ever before. This has led to a surge in demand for groceries and other home-cooking essentials.
supermarkets have seen a significant increase in demand, with some reporting sales increases of up to 30%.2 This has put pressure on food supply chains and has resulted in shortages of some items.
At the same time, the closure of restaurants has had a knock-on effect on the foodservice industry, which is now facing an uncertain future.
The way we prepare food has changed
The pandemic has also led to changes in the way we prepare food.
With more time spent at home, we have been cooking more meals from scratch. This has led to a boom in sales of ingredients, cookbooks and other kitchen supplies.
Many of us have also been using this time to learn new cooking skills. This has led to a surge in popularity for cooking classes and online recipes.
The way we consume food has changed
Finally, the pandemic has also changed the way we consume food.
Because of the health risks associated with eating out, many of us have been opting for takeaway and delivery meals instead. This has led to a boom in the popularity of food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
At the same time, we have also been snacking more often and indulging in comfort foods. This has led to an increase in sales of unhealthy and processed foods.
The pandemic has undoubtedly had a profound effect on the way we buy, prepare and consume food. In many cases, it has completely changed the way we think about it.
1 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344092046_How_has_COVID-19_affected_people’s_relationships_with_food_A_ UK_perspective
2 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/coronavirus-lockdown-food-shopping-supermarkets/
