Coronavirus has made ripples of impact to many nations across the globe, bringing them to a virtual standstill. Most countries have implemented a nationwide lockdown in some form or the other to combat the spread of the epidemic. Covid-19 has made severe changes to our lifestyle, thereby, indirectly affecting our physical and psychological well-being. Apart from all these changes, the food industry is also experiencing a shift in consumer preferences, the quantum of which is still being assessed by experts in the fields.
Quarantine and self-isolation imposed on people has got them shifting back to local, homegrown ingredients with minimal risk involved in eating. With little or no options to eat out, the trend of cooking at home and eating home-cooked food is clearly growing.
All these indicators point towards one direction – the fact that food trends and eating habits will never be the same even once Covid-19 subsides. The impact of the virus is here to change the dynamics of food for a reasonably long time to come, and a video by Oovvuu elucidates this very subject.
Here Are 5 Ways That Coronavirus Will Affect The Way We Eat:
1. Preference Of Home-Cooked Food
As per the video, 32% of adults plan to eat at restaurants less often due to Covid-19. The result is understandable given the home-bound people in self-isolation who have no option but to eat at home. This will slowly become a preference rather than a mere compulsion as we will see in the coming times.
2. Healthier Eating
The craze around healthy eating has been on the rise, and the Coronavirus epidemic will further fuel it. People will seek to boost their immune system in response to the outbreak by eating healthier and taking great care in choosing what goes inside their system.
(Also Read: Neither Mutton Nor Chicken, ‘Kathal’ Prices Skyrocket Due To Coronavirus Scare)
Plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy grains are likely to be on the rise.3. Emphasis On Food Safety
Healthy eating also comes with the caveat of being safe and hygienic. Covid-19 has led to elevated fear about food safety, which will be the priority for people while purchasing ingredients. Packaged or canned goods will see a rising preference among general public.
4. Less Exotic Foods
With the Wuhan ‘wet market’ being a probable origin of the virus, there will be less demand for exotic meat. Meat-eaters are likely to become more conscious of the dishes they choose to prevent illnesses arising from it.
(Also Read: Should You Avoid Eating Meat To Prevent Coronavirus? Here’s What Doctors Say)
Local foods, fresh fruits and juice are likely to see an increased demand.5. Local Eating Trend
With more consumers caring about the source of their food, local eating will make a comeback. People will likely prefer eating hyperlocal foods, which are easily available. Skepticism around unknown, foreign foods is likely to be on the rise with people choosing their locally grown alternatives.
Whether the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic lasts a year, or even more – the one thing that can be said for sure is that eating habits will not be the same. Food preferences and the culture of eating food will probably see a huge transformation in the times to come.
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.