The average American’s daily calorie intake has increased drastically in the past several decades, which has led to an increase in the number of overweight people in the US.
Part of the reason for this is the increase in food availability. American companies can produce huge amounts of unhealthy foods at low prices, so fattening food is easier to get.
The good news is that we’ve gotten more concerned about healthy food and meal preparation over the years. The result has been new technology and policies to bring our diets into the future. We’ll discuss some of these changes here.
1. Urban Farming
When most of us think of farms, we think of vast open fields, and that used to be the only real way to grow large amounts of vegetables. However, things are changing.
The total value of urban agriculture was $137.5 billion in 2021 and it’s expected to more than double by 2030. Much of this growth has been driven by the presence of food deserts within cities. Advances in hydroponics and a desire to become more self-sufficient have led people to grow vegetables in their own homes.
This has helped make food supplies healthier while allowing people in impoverished neighborhoods to build businesses and pursue economic opportunities that might not otherwise be available.
2. Meal Delivery
Meal delivery isn’t a new idea by any means, but it’s taken on new dimensions. Delivery apps like Door Dash have made it possible to have food delivered from anywhere. While this has driven the growth of the fast-food market, it has also opened a space for healthier delivery options.
At the moment, the biggest health-conscious delivery service is HelloFresh. Founded in 2011, HelloFresh has been thriving in the fast-paced atmosphere of the 2020s.
This company offers a diverse menu of food from many different cultures and for people in all walks of life. It also allows you to customize your meal kit so that you can stick to a vegetarian, pescatarian, or even a low-calorie diet.
3. Sustainability
The majority of Americans agree that environmental protection is one of the most important issues in the world at the moment. This shows in the actions of politicians and business leaders responding to public demands.
Americans are proving time and again that they’re willing to spend a little more in dining expenses to keep the planet healthy, and companies are responding to this. Recyclable packaging options are becoming far more common.
Many people are finding ways to upcycle food or food packaging. Composting is the simplest form of upcycling. As natural materials like food decay, they nurture the soil, which makes it easier to grow more crops.
The New Technology of Meal Preparation
Meal preparation has evolved in the 2020s, and it shows no signs of slowing down. We’ve discussed a few of the technologies and ideas that are pushing food innovation forward in this article, but there’s always more to learn.
You can learn more about how various businesses are improving their customers’ experiences by reading our blog.
