Covid pandemic has changed eating times of people, study finds

CHENNAI: The pandemic changed everything about our lives, even the times at which we ate our meals to what we consumed, says a study, ‘Impact of Covid-19 on the nutrition choices of urban Indian consumers in 2021’.

It was done by PepsiCo India with London-based market research major Euromonitor International.

The study was conducted with 1,000 respondents in the age group of 18 to 50 years in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. It analysed the eating habits that changed during Covid-19 -- 49% urban consumers started eating a late breakfast and 62% ate late dinner due to increased household chores.

Over 70% urban millennials feel a lack of energy due to delayed meal timings. While millennials believe breakfast should be rich in protein and fibre, making a nutritious and tasty breakfast takes time.

The study also highlighted changing buying behaviour while shopping for breakfast cereals -- 53% urban consumers are becoming ingredient conscious, over nearly 90% are willing to pay more for healthy alternatives and 53% still shop from offline stores such as shops, grocery stores and supermarkets. For 51% urban millennials, a nutritionist’s recommendation plays an important role in the purchase of food items.

The study found that millennials are now focusing on improving their physical and mental health. While 71% urban consumers are concerned about stress/anxiety and overall health, 89% are becoming health conscious and eating more home cooked food. Nearly 60% millennials started practising yoga and walking/running during the pandemic.