In three years, 68% of young adults have changed their eating habits (1): less meat, more vegetables and more home-cooked meals. During lockdown, this trend appears to be rubbing off on their elders. Since lockdown began, 43% of French people say they are buying more fruits and vegetables (2), with an even more dramatic rise in the United States (+600%) and the United Kingdom (+700%) (3). This period is encouraging new eating patterns, people are questioning previous habits and beginning to adapt to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Calling our eating habits into question…
In homes and in restaurants, where chefs are acting out of solidarity, the kitchen has become a focal point of life in lockdown. This period is emerging as an opportunity to question our eating habits and to change our consumption patterns.
Eating local and seasonal has never been more important. Faced with the disruption to international trade, local producers have come to the forefront and seasonal products are in vogue. Now is the time to discover new flavours!
Avoiding food waste is a vital challenge, even during lockdown. Together, we consume more, and more often. The art of recycling and careful consumption helps us to cut down on travel, expenses and energy costs. Zero-waste chef Johanna Le Pape shares her tips for reducing food waste: it has never been easier to eat well while saving!
… and adapting our diet
What shall we eat? Day after day, this recurrent question crops up ever more. Meals become a highlight of our days, on which we spend more and more time.
This period is forcing us to reinvent the way in which we shop, cook and consume, but it is not always easy to eat healthily. Here is an ideal formula for cooking under lockdown:
- Manage stock: plan shopping by drawing up a menu list and having a detailed shopping list.
- Control what is in your cupboards: having too much food within reach encourages temptation.
- Stock up on fresh, local and seasonal products. Take the opportunity to discover new tastes and local producers, as well as trying out new recipes.
- Do not forget to keep hydrated, preferably with water.
- Reduce your portion sizes. You are not moving much, so you need less energy.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
Take time to eat with your family and enjoy your meals.
For more tips about how to eat in lockdown, look out for our weekly video tips on our Facebook page.
If this article has inspired any new ideas in your kitchen, take part in the ‘Best lockdown table’ competition launched by Le Fooding.
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