Whether you’re now carrying the ‘quarantine 15’ or you’ve found your inner ‘body coach’, lockdown has had an impact on all of our diets.
Cooking from scratch
Whilst the cafes, restaurants, and take-aways were initially closed during the first months of lockdown, we were left with the unusual task of having to cook every meal. At first this left many feeling a little overwhelmed, but thanks to most of us working from home, we soon found we had the time to cook our evening meals.
Pre-lockdown, five o’clock often meant a commute in slow moving traffic and stopping off at the nearest supermarket for something to quickly throw in the oven, but five o’clock in lockdown meant it was time to prepare food from scratch.
Services like Gastronomica facilitated this transition seamlessly, offering a convenient way to order groceries from the comfort of home. Thus, the lockdown not only transformed our approach to home-cooked meals but also ushered in the era of effortless, online grocery shopping.
Growing our own
With extra time on our hands, and spring around the corner, more Brits decided it was time to grow their own. Not only does growing your own vegetables give you a sense of satisfaction, but it’s a more sustainable way to live.
We gained a better understanding of where our food comes from during lockdown, and with potential food shortages, and imports from countries badly affected by the virus, learning to cultivate our own food became the new norm.
Being adventurous
In a study carried out by HelloFresh, they found that nearly half of us have been experimenting with new flavours and cuisines. During lockdown we were restricted to shopping only once a week for essentials, and as such we were more willing to take risks in the kitchen with ingredients we already had in the house, as well as learning to use leftovers.
Not only did this help our cooking skills, but it reduced food wastage. In fact, nearly 40% said lockdown made them more aware of how they shop. With 32% saying their shopping habits will change forever post-lockdown.
Snacking habits
It appears working from home had us thinking that every day is treat day! With Hammonds finding that nearly a fifth of UK adults have admitted to having a treat every day since lockdown began. And, unsurprisingly Dairy Milk and Kettle chips were top of the treat list, whilst healthier snacks like hummus and oranges came bottom of the pile. And why not? We all seem to be eating healthier thanks to our new-found love of cooking, so the odd chocolate bar and packet of crisps won’t hurt too much. If lockdown taught us anything it’s to live in the moment.
Whilst it’s fair to say no-one wants to return to lockdown life, there have been many positives to come out of it. Namely an appreciation for our homes and our loved ones. If you’ve found a new love for cooking, then why not show some love for your kitchen? Perhaps you fancy a complete redesign, an island, or an oversized spice rack; now is a great time to create the kitchen you have always dreamed of.
