Global trends in food
Several big changes are happening around the world.
- More people and more cities. Food has to travel farther to reach cities.
- More income. When people earn more, they often eat more meat, milk, oil and processed food.
- Packaged and processed food grows because it lasts longer and is easy to carry and cook.
- Concern for the planet. Farming uses land, water and energy and gives off gases. Some people now choose local, seasonal or plant-based food.
- Food waste. A large part of food is wasted between farm and plate. Cutting waste is also a trend.
Trends in food and daily life
Our everyday habits have changed too.
- More people live in small families and in cities, with less time to cook.
- Eating out, food delivery apps, and ready-to-eat packets are popular.
- Shopping moves online: food can come to the door in minutes.
- Many people look at labels, ask for less sugar, or prefer natural and home-style foods.
- Traditional foods and local grains, such as millets, are getting attention again.
These trends are both good and bad. They save time and give choice, but ready food can have more salt, sugar and fat.
Diet and health
A balanced diet has the right amount of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water for your age and work.
- Half the plate: vegetables and fruit (vitamins, minerals, fibre).
- About a quarter: whole grains such as roti, rice, oats (energy).
- About a quarter: protein such as dal, eggs, milk, fish (growth and repair).
- A little: oil, sugar, salt and fried snacks.
When the diet goes wrong
Too much sugar and fat with little activity can lead to obesity and, later, diabetes and heart trouble. Too little food or too little variety leads to undernutrition and hidden hunger, which is a lack of vitamins and minerals. Both extremes are called malnutrition.
How to eat well
- Read labels: check sugar, salt and fat.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
- Eat different colours of food each day.
- Move, play and sleep well.
Key formulas and definitions
- Balanced plate: about 50% vegetables and fruit, 25% grains, 25% protein, little sugar, salt and oil
- BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²)
- Per cent of energy from sugar = (energy from sugar ÷ total energy) × 100
- Key terms: processed food, balanced diet, malnutrition, obesity, undernutrition, food waste
Worked examples
1. A student eats 2000 kcal a day. 300 kcal come from sugary snacks. What per cent is that?
300 ÷ 2000 × 100 = 15%.
2. A child weighs 40 kg and is 1.6 m tall. Find the BMI.
BMI = 40 ÷ (1.6 × 1.6) = 40 ÷ 2.56 = 15.6.
3. A plate of 20 cm diameter should be half vegetables and fruit. What fraction of the plate and how many equal quarters is that?
Half the plate is 1/2, which is 2 of the 4 equal quarters.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all packaged food is bad. Some, such as pasteurised milk or canned beans, are fine; check the label.
- Thinking "natural" always means healthy. Sugar and fat from natural sources can still be too much.
- Believing thin always means healthy. A person can be thin and still lack vitamins.
- Skipping meals to eat less. It often leads to snacking on sugary food later.