Canada Meal Planning and Preparation Consumer Report 2026
2026-02-26T16:02:11+00:00
REP2604BD1B_F458_4C76_84BD_1BF458BC76E3
3695
191497
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Report
en_GB
Meal planning and preparation exist at a crossroads where time-honoured traditions meet future innovations. It is a space defined by the tension between functional necessity and culinary enjoyment. To resonate,…
Canada
Cooking
Meals and Meal Components
simple
Canada Meal Planning and Preparation Consumer Report 2026
"While established habits and familiar routines are the bedrock of meal planning, technology could make culinary exploration more accessible than ever before."
Joel Gregoire, Associate Director of Food & Drink Reports
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for meal planning and preparation
Opportunities
Embrace flexible meal planning
Don’t underestimate AI’s influence on meal planning in the late 2020s
Embrace the emotional side of cooking
THE MARKET
Affordability and tariff concerns weigh on Canada’s economic outlook
Rising food inflation squeezes Canadians’ budgets
Graph 1: annual change in CPI and retail food prices by month, January 2019-December 2025
Foodservice grows persistently
Graph 2: food service sales by month, 2019-25
Obesity rates in younger adults have risen sharply
Graph 3: percentage of individuals with a self-reported obese body mass index, by age, 2015 & 2022
Younger generations are less likely to own homes, limiting their access to food storage and meal prep space
Graph 4: homeownership rate, by age, 2011-21
Think beyond the oven
Graph 5: appliances typically used when cooking prepared meals, 2024
South Asia drives much of Canada’s immigration and can influence cooking preferences
Graph 6: share of recent immigrants by country of birth, 2016 vs 2021
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Meal ideas and cooking ability
Meal inspiration starts at home
Familiarity is foundational for culinary exploration
Bolster confidence to build engagement with cooking
Graph 7: how individuals describe their cooking skills, 2025
Most plan dinner within a couple days beforehand
Graph 8: “I tend to plan dinners…”, 2025
Companies can accommodate Canadians’ “real life” behaviours
How Canadians cook
Leftovers’ popularity underscores Canadians’ desire for “meal efficiency”
Graph 9: do when cooking/preparing dinners at home at least once a week, 2025
Making meals from scratch is not a lost art
Graph 10: how often individuals do each of the following when cooking/preparing dinners at home, 2025
From-scratch cooking offers control
Graph 11: “I would be motivated to cook from scratch more often to…”, 2025
Time and effort: the main barriers to making homemade meals more often
Graph 12: barriers to cooking from scratch more often, 2025
Connect with young generations through convenience-based meal solutions
Graph 13: do when cooking/preparing dinners at home at least once a week, by generation, 2025
Gen Zs hate cleaning up. Make it a breeze
Graph 14: barriers to cooking from scratch more often, by generation, 2025
Meal variety is aspirational, but simplicity bolsters confidence
Graph 15: attitudes toward meal variety and feeling in control, 2025
Takeaways: how Canadians cook
Emotional connections to cooking
Lean into Canadians’ love of cooking
Younger generations express greater fondness for cooking
Graph 16: enjoyment of cooking, by generation, 2025
Skilled individuals enjoy cooking more
Graph 17: enjoyment of cooking, by cooking skill level, 2025
Planning meals ahead is linked to cooking enjoyment
Graph 18: likes/loves cooking, by when dinner is typically planned, 2025
Not having a plan for meals can be a source of stress
Making a plan is harder than sticking to a plan
Graph 19: attitudes toward meal planning, 2025
Financial constraints add stress to meal planning
Graph 20: attitudes toward ingredient cost in meal preparation and stress over lack of meal ideas (any agree), by financial situation, 2025
AI’s influence in the kitchen
AI will impact how brands connect with home cooks
AI is well-positioned to be a virtual sous-chef for younger generations
Graph 21: attitudes toward meal preparation and planning (any agree), by generation, 2025
AI’s rise doesn’t mean the end of other areas of influence
Graph 22: sources of meal ideas, 2023
Will more personalized AI replace influencers?
Key takeaways on meal planning
Wellness and meals
Are we in an era of ‘less is more’?
Graph 23: “preparing smaller, nutrient-dense meals is an effective way to manage one’s weight”, 2025
Brands must think beyond GLP-1’s users when promoting nutrient dense meals
Graph 24: GLP-1 medication usage, 2025
Demand for nutrient-dense options can bolster the snack occasion
Protein is the top nutritional priority when planning meals
Graph 25: nutritional considerations when planning or preparing meals, 2025
Mintel predicts consumers will think beyond protein
There’s a generational divide in nutritional demands
Graph 26: nutritional considerations when planning or preparing meals, by generation, 2025
Key takeaways: wellness and meals
Newer Canadians and meal planning/preparation
Differences between newer and established Canadians in meal planning/preparation
Actioning differences with newer Canadians
Moms, dads and meal planning/preparation
What matters more to moms and dads in meal planning?
Meeting moms’ needs
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Think outside the store: foster cooking skills in unexpected places
Grocers can help shoppers improve cooking skills and build connections
Find creative ways to help with the clean-up
Flexible all-in-one meal solutions can be tailored for groups or individuals
Use Canada’s distinct seasons to encourage meal-time exploration
Graph 27: views on eating and meal preparation habits and seasonality, 2025
Make direct connections to savings with cooking for those on strict budgets
Leveraging generative AI in grocery apps provides guidance, while also fostering creativity
Concept: leveraging tech to provide recipe guidance
Concept: AI as a personal cooking instructor
Concept: fun and easy meals to cook with kids
Concept: a snack or a meal? Easy-to-heat offerings provide versatility
APPENDIX
Report scope
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – Canada
Canada generation groups
Other data source methodologies
Mintel Spark
Abbreviations and terms
Meal planning and preparation exist at a crossroads where time-honoured traditions meet future innovations. It is a space defined by the tension between functional necessity and culinary enjoyment. To resonate, companies need to account for how individuals cook; but also understand underlying motivations in order to connect.
This report explores these dynamics to help brands communicate more effectively. It examines the catalysts for inspiration: Where do meal ideas come from? How frequently are consumers cooking from scratch and also experimenting with new ideas? And is there value in the comfort of a planned routine?
Meal preparation can involve a series of contrasts and contradictions, balancing what consumers aspire to achieve with the reality of their daily habits. Companies that acknowledge these complexities and offer nuanced meal solutions will connect with their audience in a more authentic and impactful way.
This report looks at the following areas:
Sources of meal inspiration for consumers
The interplay between cooking confidence and enjoyment
Meal preparation habits among Canadians
The influence of AI on meal planning and cooking
The role of wellness and GLP-1 medications on meal habits
Generational differences in attitudes and behaviours toward meal planning
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