Ordering pre-prepared food may seem convenient, but it takes away more than just time in the kitchen – it strips us of our agency over the food we consume, the knowledge of where our ingredients come from, and the joy of preparing and sharing meals with others. 

Not to mention, it fuels trends that promote some of the most unhealthy, ultra-processed options out there. 

Ordering pre-prepared food may save time, but it takes away our agency over the foods we consume. We lose the connection to the origins of our ingredients, the joy of preparing meals together, and the satisfaction of sharing them with others.  It also perpetuates trends that promote some of the unhealthiest, ultra-processed foods available. (And if you’ve seen those Uber Eats reports on recent food trends, you know how disturbing they can be! 

Food on delivery apps often tends to be more energy-dense and less nutritious. Studies show that frequent takeaway orders and using food delivery apps are linked to overweight and obesity.

Tricks Food Delivery Apps Use to Make You Spend More 

Ever wonder why it’s so easy to order more than you intended on delivery apps? Here are some tricks they use to keep you coming back and spending more:

Volume Promotions – Discounts when you spend a certain amount.
Frequency Incentives – Offers that push you to order multiple times in a short period.
Price Discounts – Used to: a) Attract you with a first-order deal or free delivery.
b) Influence your choices by offering discounts on specific restaurants or foods.
Positioning – Featuring certain restaurants or categories to catch your eye.
Friction – Making it harder to make healthier choices by hiding calorie labels or nutrition info.

Stay aware and make mindful choices! 

Let’s reclaim our relationship with food and make conscious choices that nourish our bodies and connections – if you’re reading this post, you probably already care.