We're usually creatures of habit, but when faced with difficult situations our habits do tend to change. In the pandemic, our eating out has been significantly reduced and during lock-downs, impossible. So, what have we been eating during this difficult time?
Figures from 'Market Researchers'
Figures from market researchers Nielsen reported by the BBC, show that sales of baking products were up by almost two-thirds over the same period when compared with 2019 as home baking has significantly increased in popularity. With so many of us turning to baking at home, buying flour and other baking ingredients has been hard to find and has often been sold out with supermarket shelves being empty at times.
Meat-free food
During lockdown research showed that more and more of us have been experimenting with going meat-free. The study shows that around 20% (one in five) of us in the UK have reduced their meat consumption during the pandemic. An additional 1.8 million households have been buying meat-free products – it has been tofu that has become the go-to meat-free food.
However, eating real meat is not being neglected at the cost of meat-free products either. The research say that meat sausages have been eaten in six million more weekly meals, which is partly due to a huge increase in barbecues and also a return to comfort food favourites such as 'bangers and mash.'
Change in our eating habits
As we might expect, the change in our eating habits is not all good news. Unfortunately, here in the UK we ate and drank the most junk food and alcohol out of 10 European countries surveyed during lockdown, in a study reported in the Evening Standard newspaper.
The research, conducted by EIT Food and a consortium of European universities led by Aarhus University in Denmark, surveyed 5,000 consumers. Participants in the UK reported a 29 per cent rise in consuming both convenience foods and alcohol, as well as a 34 per cent rise in the consumption of treats, which was the largest increase in Europe.
Snacking
Britons also led the way in snacking, with a reported 27 per cent increase during lockdown. The study also found an increase in healthy eating habits across the 10 countries and on the flip side here in the UK we ate 33 per cent more fresh fruit and 31 per cent more vegetables during the pandemic.
The pandemic has brought about change
The pandemic has brought about massive changes for us. For the first time we've been faced with something we haven't known how to deal with. The pandemic has not only brought about new challenges, but it has changed us as people too and we can no longer take our health for granted.
The pandemic is changing the way we think
The pandemic is changing the way we think about what we're eating. Being at home, it has given us time to think about what we eat. We tend to snack more when feel emotionally challenged. Lockdown has not only changed the way we eat; we also now rely on food more. The less stressed we are and the more in control we become the more comfortable we will feel moving about, the more we will function better in our lives, the better produce we will eat.
We're more aware of the planet through the pandemic
The pandemic has brought about an increased awareness of what we're doing to the planet and this includes our food sources and their impact. It is important we pull back and think about how we can move forward and reduce our impact on the planet and its eco-systems.
According to scientists we are in the pandemic for the long-haul and we're going to have to live side by side with the pandemic. It has to be said, that our reactions and how we deal with the planet moving forward is the key to longevity. (Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk https://www.standard.co.uk)
It's not surprising that people's eating habits have changed with the unprecedented stress we are all living with.
It is easier to reach for junk food and high sugared foods than to think about meals in advance, shop and prepare healthier meals. I am also not surprised to read that here in the UK we are leading Europe in our bad eating habits.
I would still hope that we can be more mindful of what we eat and think about its impact on our health and our planet. Our futures are depending on it.
Thanks. Yes, there are two things we have to deal with here. You sort one out and the other will reduce.
It is in times like these we must be more mindful so that we bring our thinking into the present moment; so that we can concentrate on the things we want to think about, rather than what's going on around us and in the world.
The more stress we carry from what's going on around us and in the media, the more we will eat unhealthy foods. Being mindful is the key to reducing stress, anxiety and what we put into our mouths.