America’s Eating Habits & Key Findings

Food is more than a daily choice—it’s a reflection of how Americans cope with cost, time pressure, and emotional fatigue. According to our national study of 1,000 U.S. adults, everyday dining habits are shifting dramatically: people are cooking more often, but with less excitement and less energy than ever before. In today’s economic climate, the kitchen has become a financial strategy, not a creative space.

Key takeaways from our national study include:

• 94% cook at home weekly: Home-prepared meals represent the primary norm, with Americans cooking an average of 3.6 times per week.

• Estimated $24,000 saved per year: Cooking rather than dining out serves as a crucial financial strategy for household budgeting.

• 62% stick to quick and easy meals: Cooking has shifted toward low-effort obligation, with 43% repeating meals multiple times a week.

• 57% cite cost as the top cooking motivator: Lower cost leads home cooking decisions over convenience (39%) and ingredient control (37%).

• 72% order takeout weekly despite cooking more: Convenience drives takeout choices (51%), but 60% report feeling post-ordering guilt.

• 37% consume frozen meals weekly: Frozen foods are rising as a practical survival tool, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials.