David Portalatin of Circana recently spoke at the CSP Foodservice Forum, highlighting key findings from the annual Eating Patterns in America report. Despite a slow return to dining out, home remains central to Americans’ eating habits, with 86% of meals sourced from home. This trend surpasses pre-pandemic levels.
Americans are eating 17 more meals away from home compared to 2025, but still 77 fewer than in 2019. The report reveals a rising interest in protein, with 48% of adults wanting more in their diets, while a nutrition gap persists: adults consume nearly double the recommended protein but less than half the recommended fiber.
Convenience is also a significant factor, with half of all meals now taking less than five minutes to prepare. Frozen dinners have notably increased in in-home occasions, and snacking patterns have shifted towards eating during meals rather than between them. Portalatin emphasizes that as dining practices evolve, home continues to be the cornerstone of American food culture.
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