Pandemic Eating Habits
Stay-at-home orders may be altering our eating habits . . . for the worse.
The seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Americans’ eating habits—and people who step on the scale may see some startling numbers.
In a survey of 2,000 Americans, conducted by the market research company OnePoll, 76% of respondents said they’re eating more during the workday because of their new work-at-home proximity to the kitchen. Almost 30% are heading to the fridge more than 10 times a day, a habit that can certainly contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. Mindless eating habits—fueled by boredom, stress, or massive amounts of screen time and late-night snacking—also appear to be on the upswing.
Clearly, many people in this new reality need guidance on how to develop better dietary habits when the kitchen is just a few steps away.
See also: Family Meal Planning
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
