Chicago, Aug. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Circana LLC today released its landmark 41st annual Eating Patterns in America report, revealing that home remains the anchor of the nation's eating habits even as Americans gradually return to dining out. The research shows that 86% of all food occasions are sourced from home, a level well above pre-pandemic norms. Americans consumed 17 more meals away from home compared to 2025, yet still 77 fewer than in 2019.
The report, which analyzes billions of eating and drinking occasions, examines the many forces shaping how and where Americans eat, with this year’s findings spotlighting protein and convenience as two notable trends influencing evolving eating patterns.
Protein takes center stage
Protein continues to be a leading nutritional priority. Nearly half of adults (48%) are seeking more protein in their diets, up 7 points from last year, placing it second only to vegetables among the items Americans want more of. Among GLP-1 users, 65% are seeking more protein. GLP-1s have become the second-most common diet type, used by 8.5% of adults, up from 4.8% last year, while 46% of adults report being on a diet overall.
The data also points to a nutrition gap. Adults consume nearly double the recommended amount of protein each day, but less than half the recommended amount of fiber. Foodservice is responding: 12% of commercial foodservice meals are now described as "high protein," with those occasions growing 11% year over year.
Convenience defines the everyday meal
Speed shapes daily eating. Half of all meals now take less than five minutes to prepare, a share that has climbed since 2021. This includes 65% of breakfasts, 56% of lunches, and 35% of dinners. As the return-to-office movement continues, half of Americans eat breakfast away from home before 9 a.m., and early breakfasts are steadily growing. At home, convenience remains a strong driver, with frozen dinners and entrées now accounting for close to 5% of in-home occasions, up from less than 1% in the 1980s. Snacking patterns are shifting too, with consumers snacking less between meals and more during or instead of a meal, up 11 occasions versus last year.
"Americans' eating and drinking patterns continue to evolve as they balance nutrition, convenience, cost, and connection," said David Portalatin, senior vice president and food and foodservice industry advisor for Circana. "This year's report spotlights protein and convenience as two important themes within a much broader set of shifts influencing how and where people eat and drink. While away-from-home occasions continue to rebound, home remains the foundation of America's food culture."
For more information or to purchase the full report, visit Eating Patterns in America.
About Circana
Circana is a leader in providing technology, AI, and data to fast-moving consumer packaged goods companies, durables manufacturers, and retailers seeking to optimize their businesses. Circana’s predictive analytics and technology empower clients to measure their market share, understand the underlying consumer behavior driving it, and accelerate their growth. Circana’s Liquid Data® technology platform is powered by an expansive, high-quality data set and intelligent algorithms trained on six decades of domain expertise. With Circana, clients can take immediate action to future-proof and evolve their growth strategies amid an increasingly complex, fast-paced, and ever-changing economy. Learn more at circana.com.
Shelley Hughes Circana +1 312-731-1782 shelley.hughes@circana.com