Believe it or not, today’s food culture is driven by technology. In the modern day world, we are living with problems and solutions side by side and haven’t realized it yet. We need to get an insight into how our food culture is impacted by technology and if this is improving/degrading our quality of life.
Let us look at some of the common technically driven food privileges that are offered to a modern man:-
Social media influenced meal preparation recipes and food trends across the globe.
Induction stoves, microwave ovens, air fryers etc, to cut the time of cooking in half.
Online apps to order food, pantry and grocery.
Smart kitchen appliances such as instant e-pots, smart refrigerators, bullet blenders, bread makers etc, to faithfully assist and enhance the cooking experience.
Packaged food industry to source our daily consumables as well as culinary ingredients.
Fast food restaurants, cafes and services catering to vivid dining experiences.
Smart wearables and apps to help track one’s health.
There is no doubt that we can’t live without technology. So much so that it even influences our food. Here’s why:-
Lack of quality time: We have a lot on our plates and with added daily chores, by the end of the day one is left with no time to spend on oneself/with loved ones. Technical aid such as last minute food orders from an online app, instant no cook recipes from the internet, food prepared from the instant e-pot in 5 minutes just by adding all the ingredients etc, are blessing in disguise.
Environmental Impact: There is no doubt we are running out of conventional energy resources. Finding alternatives to prepare food that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient is the way of sustenance. Inventions such as Induction stoves, air fryers, microwave ovens etc, use electricity as a replacement for cooking gas and also improve indoor air quality.
Shortage of food: Global warming is real and disrupting food availability due to drastically changing weather patterns severely impacting crop yield. Advanced food manufacturing units process tons of food with a longer shelf life to meet the needs of an ever growing population. Innovations such as hybridization, and genetic engineering help in improving agriculture output.
Safe cooking: Fire hazard is the most common cause of minor/major accidents in households. Opting for an induction burner that cooks food without fire or producing any smoke eliminates the risk of burning oneself.
Combat diseases: If there is one thing that we have learnt from previous outbreaks, it is that our lives are short and we need to value it. Motivational posts on social media, make us more aware of the mechanism of the human body, smart gadgets and wearables track our vitals thereby helping us maintain optimum health.
Tips to coexist with technology and enhance the quality of life
It is important to acknowledge that technology is here to stay. However, we cannot deny the fact that our digestive system is ancient, and our food habits are deeply rooted based on our ancestors. Generically, no technology is good or bad. How you chose to utilize it makes the difference.
Make sure you consider these tips first before trying any new food/health gadget in the market or following any new food trends that are going viral:-
Achieve a balance between technical advancements and optimum health with the ideal formula i.e.
Lack of time management ∝ Quick results with zero-effort ∝ Mindless eating ∝ Lifestyle-related diseases
Ask yourself, if this new food item is to full fill your nutrition needs or has empty calories.
Ask yourself, if this new processed food is essential or instead if you can prepare a wholesome meal at home.
Ask yourself, if this new food trend is improving your health or if you are blindly following it without any research.
Ask yourself, if this new health gadget is boosting your health or instead can you work on building a powerful mindset.
Ask yourself, if this new food app is convinient or instead can you walk to get groceries from a local store.
Ask yourself, if this new cafe is worth exploring or if you can slash some screen time to connect with nature.
Ask yourself, if this new kitchen appliance that you are about to purchase is necessary or instead can you save some money.
Ask yourself, if switching to electricity from cooking gas is necessary or if you can opt for cooking simple food that is nutrient-rich and consumes less fuel to cook.
Future Enhancements
Take a look at some food trends that we might get to encounter in future:-
Augmented Reality food menus to view all food dishes in 3D models even before placing the order at restaurants.
Drones/Automated vehicles to deliver food on time irrespective of weather/traffic conditions in your locality.
Robotic chefs to cook food with precision without any human intervention.
3D-printed edible goods to customise food as per an individual’s taste.
Noor Fatimah Iqbal Husain is the visionary behind Wiztaqnia. As a Technical Content Engineer with a strong background in electronics and a passion for programming, she creates engaging, accessible content that simplifies complex electronics and cutting-edge technology. Her dedication to continuous learning and ethical technology use empowers organizations to innovate and thrive. Connect with her to elevate your understanding of technology and bring clarity to the intricate world of electronics.
