From clean foods to comfort foods
Recent U.S. food sales reports have shown that there has been a drastic increase in frozen food consumption such as pizzas and pre-cooked meals in recent months. Similar results are seen as well for processed items and non-perishable foods such as canned beans and vegetables, simple carbohydrates, and similar packaged snack foods.
These new trends show quarantine affecting diets as people gravitate toward more comfort foods and simpler, ready-made items, ditching produce or fresher foods which simply don’t have as long of shelf life.
More than just food
Not only has overall consumer food choice changed as a result of quarantine affecting diets, but other factors have come into play as well. Alcohol sales have greatly increased as well, as people turn to other coping mechanisms as a result of being cooped up. Not only have food sales changed, but people have reported increased eating and as a result, widespread weight gain. The stress of the pandemic and all the free time that is afforded by it has led some people to overeat and indulge especially on unhealthier foods.
Fluctuating scales
Though not everyone has been affected by rapid weight gain amid a shift to unhealthier food patterns, the pandemic has put a stress on diets everywhere, changing the landscape of food shopping, whose consequences may project into the future.
Questions about quarantine changing diets to discuss on Ohlelo:
- How do you think food sales reports will be affected as more restaurants and shops continue to open?
- How widespread do you think this current impact will have on the diet culture and the food industry as a whole in coming months or years?
- What are some ways people can offset the widespread weight gain and increased stress eating as a result of quarantine?
- How do you think these reports vary from country to country?
Read more about eating healthy on Ohlelo: Three key tips to eat healthy!
