Publisher: Supermarket News
Published: August 20, 2026
Source: Read at Supermarket News (https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-trends-data/protein-and-convenience-shape-meals-for-consumers)
Category: Food Access
Circana released its annual Eating Patterns in America report, which found that 86% of food occasions are sourced from home. Americans consumed 17 more meals away from home compared with 2025, but still 77 fewer than in 2019. Protein remains a priority, with 48% of adults seeking more protein; 65% of GLP-1 users are doing so, and GLP-1 use reached 8.5% of adults. Convenience is also shaping meals, with half of meals taking less than five minutes to prepare and frozen dinners and entrées making up close to 5% of in-home occasions.
Why this matters: Independent grocers can use these findings to assess demand for high-protein foods, quick meal options, and frozen entrées. The continued central role of home eating points to stores remaining important places for consumers building convenient meals.
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