The number of people opting to cook at home over the last year has absolutely skyrocketed and if Google data is any indication, many people have found themselves - and a new passion - in the kitchen this year. The fact that dining out has taken a drastic shift and takeout can get costly, many people have devoted their time to make more home-cooked meals than ever before, and with great success to boot. At-home cooks have re-discovered the art of making breakfast with the family, staying home and eating lunch in one's PJs, and cooking diner with their significant others.

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Now, experts have weighed in on the manner and are claiming that all of that time spent cooking at home is actually a very good thing. While many of us may have felt as though we were missing out on the experience of dining out, some other things were going on that many people may not have even realized. Slowly but surely, we were cementing a new hobby that has been life-changing in more ways than one, including being a form of personal therapy.

Food Waste

According to Food & Wine, 71% of people who participated in a brief survey said that they would continue their at-home cooking habits. That number is significant in the grand scheme of what the world looked like prior to a pandemic, especially when you consider all the people who opted for dining out on weekends and even weekdays.

Of those people, it was reported that food waste was down significantly and almost 50% of people claimed that they were far more aware of food waste. In the long run, this is a very good thing, as sustainability has become such a big part of food culture and in regard to saving the environment. Without even realizing it, many people have cut down on their own waste by using reusable bags while grocery shopping, using meal services, or simply cutting down on their takeout.

Healthier Lifestyles

Of the same group of people polled, many reported that they've been living healthier lifestyles overall. While dining out doesn't need to be unhealthy, oftentimes it leads to ordering appetizers and dessert, which are two things that home cooking doesn't always entail. Cooking at home also opens up the option, and the freedom, to cook whatever a person wants, however they want.

That means healthier alternatives are easily available as well as recipes that have been reworked to include dietary restrictions and certain lifestyle changes. Therefore, it's been reported that many people cooking at home are taking their health into their own hands and are making positive changes via their newfound love for cooking.

An Education Through Eating

It has been a challenge to avoid travel this whole time, that much is clear. However, some will claim that the best way to experience a new country is through its food - which is exactly what many people have started doing. The interest in international cuisine has been undeniable lately, as many people are investigating new cultures through cuisines that are new and exciting to them.

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People are also looking to try new spices, flavors, and seek a challenge while cooking, which has accounted for a large portion of those who have embraced the cooking-at-home movement. Cookbooks are once again gaining popularity as are social media sites that share recipes that are different or unique, especially if they've taken inspiration from another country.

Finding Joy And Happiness In The Art Of Food

A total of 56% of people polled claimed that their food lifestyles have re-stabilized to what they were prior to the pandemic, which is a good sign. That means more than half of all people polled reported that their appetites, health-conscious lifestyles, and balanced eating habits have returned. Overall, this is a great sign that despite the fact that the food industry has undergone a tremendous change, the mental health of people regarding food has begun to stabilize quite a bit.

That aside, there has been another major, yet simple, change: Happiness. Of course, it was a well-known fact that food can incite feelings of happiness but now, people are also finding joy in the art of cooking once again, or for the first time. It has been a big mood booster for many people, especially when this newfound love is combined with zoom cooking or even virtual cooking classes. Overall, experts say that the latest food trends are definitely pointing in a good direction, as many people are making better choices and practicing more self-care in the way they treat and feed their bodies.

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