The world is changing constantly, exponentially becoming louder and faster with each passing day. This new freneticism extends to every part of our daily lives, including meals. USA Today reports that more and more people are eschewing the traditional breakfast-lunch-dinner model in favor of constant snacking and meals eaten on the run.

This shift in behavior isn’t just limited to eating in smaller and more frequent doses. USA Today goes on to say that there is a greater trend toward eating meals that are typically reserved for specific times of day whenever they please, like having breakfast food for dinner.

Eating Snacks For Meals

The trend of on-the-go eating and constant snacking is most pronounced among younger people. According to USA Today, over 1/3 of the meals eaten by Millennials (people born after 1982) are actually snacks, plus they are often eating snacks more than once a day. Additionally, across all age groups surveyed, only 5% of people reported eating three whole meals per day. Certainly today’s busier schedules are having a direct impact on the way that people eat. Perhaps the question that we are asking ourselves these days is “Who has time to sit down for three big meals a day?”

Whatever and Whenever

Frequent snacking and irregular meal times aren’t the only new ways that people are taking in their daily sustenance. There is also a marked upturn in people who are eschewing conventional meal order wisdom and choosing to chow down on pancakes for dinner and pizza for breakfast. In fact, USA Today reports that at McDonalds, 1/5 of their apple pies and cookies are sold in the morning hours (when people are “supposed” to be chowing down eggs, bacon, or oatmeal) and that Dunkin Donuts also sells plenty of chicken salad sandwiches at breakfast.

So what does this mean for you? Well, more people eating in different ways means more choices, which can mean better options and the ability to customize your meals. But though it may be easier for you to get whatever food you want at whatever time of day and eat it at whatever pace and wherever you want, make sure to slow down every once in a while. A savored traditional meal at home can be a great break from your fast-paced life!

Source:

• “Marketers adapt menus to eat-what-I-want-when-I-want trend”, USA Today

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