According to Gram Research analysis, Americans temporarily shifted toward healthier, less processed foods during COVID-19 lockdowns, but ultra-processed food purchases rebounded above pre-pandemic levels after lockdowns ended. A study of over 9.3 million grocery shopping trips from 30,000 US households between 2017 and 2022 found that while families bought fresher foods during 2020, they returned to buying more frozen meals, packaged snacks, and convenience foods by 2021 and 2022, suggesting the pandemic’s impact on eating habits was largely temporary.
A major study tracking over 9 million grocery shopping trips from 2017 to 2022 reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed what Americans eat. During lockdowns, families bought healthier, less processed foods. But after the pandemic ended, people went back to buying more ultra-processed foods than ever before. Interestingly, wealthier families started buying less healthy foods after the pandemic, while lower-income families caught up in their spending patterns. The research shows the pandemic left lasting marks on our eating habits, with some food categories like frozen meals and sugary drinks showing persistent changes.
Key Statistics
A 2026 analysis of 9.3 million weekly grocery shopping trips from over 30,000 US households found that ultra-processed food purchases dropped during COVID-19 lockdowns but rebounded above pre-pandemic levels by 2021 and 2022.
Research tracking actual grocery purchases from 2017 to 2022 revealed that higher-income households increased spending on less nutritious foods after the pandemic ended, creating a new nutrition gap that reversed pre-pandemic patterns.
A study of over 9 million shopping baskets found that prepared foods, frozen meals, and carbonated beverages showed persistent elevated purchases even after the pandemic ended, indicating lasting changes in consumer behavior for these specific categories.
Analysis of 30,000 US households’ grocery data from 2017 to 2022 showed that the spending gap between rich and poor families narrowed after the pandemic, but both groups increased purchases of less healthy foods, masking a troubling convergence toward worse nutrition.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How American families changed their grocery shopping and eating habits during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether these changes stuck around or reversed.
- Who participated: Over 30,000 US households tracked through their actual grocery purchases from 2017 to 2022, capturing more than 9.3 million weekly shopping baskets. The study included families from different income levels and regions across the country.
- Key finding: During lockdowns, Americans bought healthier foods with less processing. After the pandemic ended, ultra-processed food purchases jumped above pre-pandemic levels. This shift was especially strong in wealthier households, which started buying less healthy foods after 2020.
- What it means for you: The pandemic’s impact on eating habits didn’t fade away. Even though lockdowns ended, our food choices remained changed, with more ultra-processed foods in shopping carts. This suggests we need better policies to help people maintain healthy eating habits during and after crises.
The Research Details
Researchers analyzed real shopping data from over 30,000 American households collected between 2017 and 2022. They looked at more than 9.3 million individual weekly shopping trips to understand what people actually bought, not just what they said they bought. This real-world data is much more reliable than surveys because it captures actual purchasing behavior.
The team used advanced computer analysis to rate the nutritional quality of every food item purchased. They measured diet quality in two ways: first, by looking at how processed the foods were (using a system called NOVA that ranks foods from unprocessed to ultra-processed), and second, by checking specific nutrients like fiber, sodium, and sugar content. They also looked at how local COVID-19 policies affected shopping patterns in different counties.
By comparing shopping patterns before, during, and after the pandemic, the researchers could see which changes were temporary and which stuck around. They also compared how different income groups shopped differently and whether those gaps widened or narrowed over time.
This approach matters because it uses actual shopping data rather than relying on people’s memories or self-reported diets, which are often inaccurate. By tracking the same households over five years, researchers could see real patterns and trends. The combination of processing-based and nutrient-based measurements gives a complete picture of diet quality, since a food can be highly processed but still nutritious, or minimally processed but lacking nutrients.
This is a high-quality study published in Nature Human Behaviour, a top-tier scientific journal. The massive sample size of over 9 million shopping baskets from 30,000 households provides very reliable results. The study tracked real purchasing behavior over five years, which is much stronger evidence than short-term studies. The researchers used artificial intelligence to accurately assess the nutritional content of foods, reducing human error. The inclusion of county-level policy data helps explain why changes happened. However, the study only tracked what people bought, not what they actually ate or whether they wasted food.
What the Results Show
During the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, American households made a significant shift toward less processed foods. Spending on ultra-processed foods dropped noticeably, while purchases of fresher, minimally processed items increased. This change made sense because people were cooking at home more and had time to prepare meals from scratch.
However, this healthy shift didn’t last. By 2021 and 2022, after lockdowns ended and life returned to normal, ultra-processed food purchases bounced back above pre-pandemic levels. People went back to buying more frozen meals, packaged snacks, and convenience foods than they did before COVID-19 hit. This suggests the pandemic’s impact on eating habits was temporary for many families.
A surprising finding emerged when researchers looked at income levels. Before and during the pandemic, wealthier households consistently bought healthier foods than lower-income households. But after the pandemic ended, this pattern flipped. Higher-income households actually increased their spending on less nutritious foods, while lower-income households maintained their post-pandemic spending patterns. This created a new type of nutrition gap that didn’t exist before.
Certain food categories showed lasting changes. Prepared foods, frozen meals, and carbonated beverages remained elevated even after the pandemic ended, suggesting these categories permanently changed consumer behavior in ways that other food groups did not.
When researchers measured diet quality using nutrient content (checking for things like fiber, sodium, and added sugars), the changes were less dramatic than when they looked at food processing levels. This reveals an important insight: a food can be highly processed but still provide good nutrition, or be minimally processed but lack important nutrients. Both perspectives matter for understanding overall diet quality.
The study found that the spending gap between rich and poor households actually narrowed after the pandemic. During 2020, this gap widened as wealthier families had more money to spend on premium foods. But by 2021 and 2022, spending patterns between income groups converged again. However, this convergence masked a troubling new pattern: both groups were spending more on less healthy foods.
Previous research suggested that economic crises and disruptions typically push people toward cheaper, less healthy foods. The COVID-19 pandemic was different in an important way: lockdowns forced people to stay home and cook, which temporarily reversed this pattern. This study confirms that major life disruptions can change eating habits, but it also shows these changes may not stick around once the disruption ends. The finding that ultra-processed food purchases rebounded above pre-pandemic levels suggests that without active intervention, people tend to return to their previous eating patterns.
This study only tracked what people bought, not what they actually ate or how much they wasted. Some households may have bought healthy foods but not eaten them. The data comes from grocery store purchases only, so it doesn’t include food bought at restaurants or other sources. The study couldn’t determine why people made certain choices, only that they did. Additionally, the research doesn’t account for changes in food prices, which may have influenced purchasing decisions. Finally, while the study includes over 30,000 households, they may not perfectly represent all Americans, particularly in rural areas or among certain ethnic groups.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, policymakers should focus on creating food systems that support healthy eating even during normal times, not just during crises. Individuals can use the pandemic as a lesson: the temporary shift toward home cooking and less processed foods showed that change is possible. Consider maintaining some of those habits, like cooking at home more often and choosing less processed foods when possible. However, individual choices alone won’t solve the problem. We need policies that make healthy foods more affordable and accessible, especially for lower-income families. The confidence level for these recommendations is high because the study tracked actual behavior over five years.
Everyone should care about these findings, but they’re especially important for policymakers, public health officials, and people concerned about nutrition inequality. Lower-income families should know that the pandemic showed it’s possible to shift toward healthier foods, even if it requires support and resources. Higher-income families should recognize that increased spending on less healthy foods is a concerning trend. Parents should consider whether their family’s post-pandemic eating habits are as healthy as they could be. People with chronic diseases related to diet, like diabetes or heart disease, should pay special attention to these trends.
The changes documented in this study happened over months to years. The shift toward healthier foods during lockdowns occurred within weeks of stay-at-home orders. The rebound toward ultra-processed foods took place over several months in 2021 and 2022. If you want to maintain healthier eating habits, expect that it will take consistent effort over months to make changes stick, since the research shows people naturally drift back to previous patterns without ongoing support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did people eat healthier during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, temporarily. A study of 9.3 million grocery shopping trips found that Americans bought more minimally processed foods during lockdowns in 2020. However, this shift reversed after lockdowns ended, with ultra-processed food purchases rebounding above pre-pandemic levels by 2021 and 2022.
What food categories changed the most during and after COVID-19?
Prepared foods, frozen meals, and carbonated beverages showed the most persistent changes, remaining elevated even after the pandemic ended. These categories appear to have permanently shifted consumer behavior in ways that other food groups did not.
Did the pandemic affect rich and poor families differently?
Yes. During the pandemic, the spending gap between income groups widened, but it narrowed afterward. Surprisingly, higher-income households increased spending on less healthy foods after lockdowns ended, while lower-income families maintained their post-pandemic patterns, creating a new nutrition inequality.
Can the healthy eating changes from the pandemic be permanent?
The research suggests they won’t be permanent without active effort. The study shows people naturally drifted back to previous eating patterns once lockdowns ended. Maintaining healthier habits requires consistent choices and support, not just temporary disruptions.
What does this research mean for food policy?
The findings suggest that temporary crises alone don’t create lasting healthy eating changes. Policymakers need to build food systems that support healthy choices during normal times, making nutritious foods more affordable and accessible, especially for lower-income families.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your weekly grocery purchases by food processing level. Each week, count how many ultra-processed items you bought versus minimally processed items. Set a goal to increase the percentage of less processed foods by 10 to 15 percent each month. This mirrors the measurement method used in the research and gives you concrete data on your own patterns.
- Use the app to plan one home-cooked meal per week using minimally processed ingredients. Start with simple recipes that take 20 to 30 minutes. The pandemic showed that home cooking is possible and leads to healthier eating. By building this habit gradually, you can maintain the positive changes many people experienced during lockdowns without requiring massive lifestyle changes.
- Set up monthly check-ins to review your grocery shopping patterns. Compare your current month to the previous month and to your baseline. Track not just what you buy but also what you actually eat and enjoy. This long-term approach mirrors the five-year study period and helps you identify whether changes are temporary or becoming permanent habits.
This research describes observed changes in grocery purchasing patterns during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, activity level, and medical conditions. Consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have chronic health conditions, take medications, or have food allergies. This study tracked purchasing behavior, not actual consumption or health outcomes. The findings apply broadly to US households but may not reflect all communities or individual circumstances.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.