With coronavirus lockdowns forcing millions around the world to stay at home, many people have started eating healthier, according to a recent survey.
Preliminary results from the Corona Cooking Survey showed that people were buying less sweet foods, salty snacks, and ready-made meals, and more fresh fruit and vegetables during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Many also reported reduced stress and frustration about cooking, tried new recipes, and wasted less food.
The findings are based on online responses given by 11,000 people in 11 countries: Australia, Belgium, Chile, Uganda, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Greece, Canada, Brazil, and Ireland.
The study, conducted by the University of Antwerp in Belgium, is set to be expanded to 25 more countries, with the final results expected by the end of June.
Charlotte De Backer, who led the study, pointed out that people often eat more salty, fatty, and sugary foods when they are stressed. But instead of buying them, this need was met during lockdowns with home baking.
Researchers believe that the healthier food choices could be a result of careful planning, as people try to reduce the amount of time they spend in supermarkets.
“If you make a shopping list, you plan your meals ahead and you are less likely to add unhealthy food,” De Backer said.
However, De Backer suggests that the healthy eating habits people have adopted during the pandemic are likely to continue when life goes back to normal, because lockdowns in most countries lasted for more than 6 weeks — the amount of time it usually takes to form a new habit.
