Moments in life that impact your eating routine

Eating… it’s one of the few things you do absolutely everyday. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. At HelloFresh, we’re all for making sure Kiwis are getting a wholesome and balanced meal each day. 

Not to get too deep, but we know life can be a roller coaster. It’s full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but you might be thinking what does this have to do with eating? We asked over 1,000 Kiwis just how much common life events affected their cooking and eating habits (and their waistlines)! Here’s what we found out. 

Leaving the nest

More often than not, moving away from the family home is the first big step towards your own independence, so it’s no surprise your eating habits change as well. We get it – young people have a lot on their plate between study, work and socialising. 70% of young Kiwis said they cook less than two times a week after moving out and found they gained unwanted weight! 

Tying the Knot 

Getting married or moving in with a partner was actually found to have a positive impact on cooking habits as couples say ‘I do’ to better eating. According to the research, couples enjoy a healthy mix of eating out and cooking fresh dinners at home. Over half of loved-up Kiwi couples ate more fruits and vegetables, and felt happier and more energised. Does this sound like your marriage or relationship?

Baby on board!

There’s no doubt that having a baby dramatically shifts your eating habits. From eating for two whilst pregnant, to having a baby and then finding out you have a lot less time. You lose your routine, which can make preparing regular dinners a daily struggle. Lack of time is the number one obstacle to achieving balanced eating habits during pregnancy and growing your family. Top tip from us – plan as much as possible and outsource. When it comes to cooking, we know kids love anything crumbed, so get ready to get your hands dirty! Try our Rosemary & Parmesan Crumbed Chicken with Smokey Aioli

Splitting up! 

Nothing mends a broken heart quite like food. Almost half of recent singles confess to reaching for sweets and fried comfort foods after a split. Cooking fresh home cooked meals takes a backseat with 43% of us admitting to cooking less than twice a week after a break up. Women tend to gain weight, while men tend to lose weight – go figure! 

Retirement 

Unsurprisingly retiring was found to have the most positive impact on eating habits! Those who retire generally ate more balanced meals and  more fruits and vegetables.1 in 4 even said they lost weight after retiring, we guess they really are the golden years! 

Wherever you are in your life journey, it’s always worth keeping an eye on your eating habits – as good food really can make you feel better from the inside out. It’s a bit easier with HelloFresh – our team of professional recipe developers work hard to create a variety of balanced meals. 

And remember, if life gives you lemons, make Lemony Crumbed Chicken with Pesto Dressing & Kumara Wedges and we’ll even deliver it straight to your door!