"The average adult eats nearly half of their weekly meals alone."
If someone asked me to describe my day on a plate, you’d find most of my meals don’t involve a plate at all.
First up, breakfast: a large skinny flat white drunk from my reusable coffee cup (when I remember to bring it) as I make my way to the train station.
Lunch: some kind of bread product. Judging by the crumbs on my keyboard, also not involving a plate and eaten at my desk as I power through my workload.
Dinner, however, does usually involve utensils and is shared at the table with my immediate family. Because we’re busy like most people, it’s a quick affair, often involves a food fight (my 4-year-old refuses to eat) and sadly, it’s not always the relaxing family gathering I like to think it is.
Looking at my day on a plate, it comes as no surprise to me that a study conducted by The Big Lunch in conjunction with the University of Oxford revealed the average adult eats nearly half of their weekly meals alone.
And although eating alone might feel typical for us now, it wasn’t always the case.
Food as ritual
Sharing meals has always been part of our human story. In fact, the saying “to break bread together” is as old as the Bible and highlights the power of food to build relationships, let go of anger and promote a sense of community.
In some cultures, the sharing of food is even a way to let those who have left us know they are not forgotten. Ever travelled to Thailand and noticed the offerings of food at grave sites?
But despite the clear connection between social eating and social bonding, in recent years, the simple act of breaking bread together is becoming less and less the norm. Yes, we celebrate the odd birthday or Christmas lunch, but dining together is now a ‘special occasion’ instead of something we make time for every day.
And while mealtimes were the glue that once held communities together in the past, the University of Oxford study also revealed over 70% of respondents had never shared a meal with their neighbours or local community.
"We eat breakfast on the go, grab lunch at our desks and even order in our favourite restaurant meals rather than booking a table with friends."
Convenience vs community
So, who’s to blame? Food delivery apps? Maybe in part. Our convenience culture combined with our busy lifestyles mean we often opt for quick and cheap rather than socially satisfying. We eat breakfast on the go, grab lunch at our desks and even order in our favourite restaurant meals rather than booking a table with friends.
But this trend towards solo dining goes against what we know leads to better wellbeing. According to the same University of Oxford study mentioned above, the more people eat with others, the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives.
Of course, on-the-go eating affects more than just our social lives; it influences the types of food we consume.
“These foods are often less nutritious and lower in veggie and wholegrain content,” says Karen Stafford from Nutrition Australia. “On-the-go eating has also led us to be less mindful while eating. This means we’re not listening to our body’s hunger and fullness cues.”
And to all the parents out there, no pressure, but according to the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, children who eat dinner with their parents five or more days per week have less trouble with drugs and alcohol, eat healthier and show better academic performance. Gulp!
