Food is a basic human necessity, together with shelter and clothing.
One can survive without shelter and make do with one set of clothing, but the need for food is constant as long as we are alive.
There are hundreds of thousands of different foods around the world that differ in preparation, taste, and even preference.
Some people like spicy food, while some have sweet teeth, thus always going for sugary treats.
But among all these, some foods have been known to be consumed more than others across the globe.
Rice is a staple food in most Asian, Latin American, and African households. According to research, rice feeds over half the world’s population every day, making it the most-eaten food in the world in 2022 and recent years as well.
Generally, Which is the Most Popular Food in the World?
Although rice is the most eaten food in the world, it is not necessarily the most popular.
Food popularity is measured according to the choices people make when other options are available to them.
People consume staples out of necessity more than desire, but popular foods are eaten out of want.
According to data from different sources such as Trip Advisor and food ordering applications, Pizza has been ranked as the most popular food in the world.
What is It About Pizza that Makes It So Popular?
Pizza is a native Italian food that consists of a flat, round bread with different types of toppings to go with it.
The most basic Italian pizza has tomatoes, olives, cheese, and sometimes a type of meat for the additional toppings.
However, so many varieties of pizza have emerged over the years that, at times, it all boils down to an individual’s preferences.
Some examples of pizza include:
- Hawaiian Pizza – Pineapple and ham toppings.
- Pizza Margherita – Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil toppings.
- Seafood Pizza – Assortment of seafood toppings such as shellfish.
- Mushroom Pizza – Mushrooms and ham or bacon toppings.
- Meat Lovers Pizza – An assortment of meat toppings.
Pizza is rich in carbohydrates, fats, and salts, and therefore excessive consumption of the same could lead to obesity and other weight-related complications such as heart disease.
On the flip side, according to the USDA, some chain-produced pizzas are unhealthy due to uncontrolled and unbalanced ingredient distribution.
Most Popular Food in America
America is a metropolitan with different cultures and thus, getting one specific food to be the most popular takes a lot of work.
Different cultures have different cuisines, each with a mass following of its own.
However, when it comes to fast food, all Americans, young and old, seem to find something in common.
Surveys show that the most popular food in America is Hamburgers.
Whatever restaurant, diner, or food truck you go to (if not cuisine-restricted), you are bound to find hamburgers and fries on the menu. It is a no-brainer.
Statistics show that the American hamburger restaurant sector is potentially worth a whopping 160 billion dollars in 2022.
Reports also suggest that, on average, an American will eat two cheeseburgers every day, which roughly estimates to 61 pounds of beef and 9 billion pounds of cheese annually.
Why is the Hamburger So Popular in America?
The popularity rates of hamburgers in America could be attributed to a number of factors, such as:
Somewhat Balanced Diet
With the recent craze in dieting and ensuring you get all three basic food nutrients in your meals, a hamburger is ideally a well-balanced dish option.
The bread covers for carbs, the meat patty and cheese for protein, and the lettuce and tomatoes for vitamins. Hamburgers can thus be justified as a convenient go-to meal.
Easy to make
You don’t have to order a hamburger since you can easily make one at home.
All you need are the burger buns, the patty, cheese, and vegetable toppings, and you are good to go.
Affordable and Durable
Hamburgers are an affordable food for most Americans, and they also leave you feeling full for a long time.
Having one large burger at the start of the day can keep you fuelled throughout the day, thus helping you save money you would have used to eat during the day.
Tradition
It wouldn’t be completely honest not to admit that many Americans love hamburgers simply because they were raised having them constantly.
Just like a PB&J sandwich, hamburgers are an American household staple, and they easily grow on you.
French fries are a close second to hamburgers, with the average American eating 30 pounds of French fries annually.
What are the 5 Most Eaten Foods in the World?
As we have already established, the most eaten foods in the world are not always out of desire or popularity.
Out of lack of options, people end up consuming food that is readily available to them, whether they enjoy it or not.
Food not only keeps our bodies alive by providing the needed fuel, but it also provides the nutrients needed to fight off diseases while growing and repairing body cells for better functionality.
Food also plays a huge part in keeping our bodies warm.
Apart from water, here are the five most-eaten foods in the world in 2022.
Note that these foods are the most eaten due to factors such as affordability, ease of production, ease of storage, ease of transportation, and their high calorific value.
1. Rice
Rice is the most eaten food in the world, feeding over half the world’s population.
This starch-rich food is a staple not only in Asia, where it is believed to come from originally but also in other continents like Africa and South America.
Statistics show that about 766 million tonnes of rice are produced annually worldwide. 506 million tonnes of these were consumed by humans between 2021 and 2022.
Rice’s nutritional profile consists of 82% carbohydrate, 11% water, 7% protein, and 1% fat.
Most people prepare rice by boiling it in salt water. They then eat the rice with an accompaniment such as legumes, meat, or vegetables.
Rice can also be ground to make flour or fermented to make rice wine.
2. Wheat
Wheat is arguably the second most eaten food in the world, especially in the form of bread.
Most cultures around the world consider bread a breakfast staple, and it is thus safe to say that wheat is among the most consumed foods globally.
From recent research, 787 million tonnes of wheat were consumed in 2021, and the world wheat consumption rates are steadily increasing annually.
Wheat is consumed in such large amounts thanks to its versatility. Apart from bread, wheat is the main ingredient in foods such as pizza, pasta, pastries such as cakes and cookies, and even breakfast cereals.
3. Corn or Maize
Corn or Maize is the third most-eaten food in the world. People consume corn in various ways, such as directly from the cob or after processing it to make corn flour or cornstarch.
1.2 billion tonnes of corn are produced annually for edible and non-edible purposes.
In America, corn is mainly consumed as breakfast cereal, boiled corn, popcorn, and in Latin American foods, such as tacos, nachos, and tortillas.
4. Potatoes
Potatoes are a common food option in several countries worldwide, especially in rural Europe.
Over 300 million tonnes of potatoes are produced and consumed globally per year, making potatoes join the list of the most eaten foods in the world.
Potatoes come in many varieties and can be prepared in many ways, such as boiling, cooking in stews, roasting, baking, and frying them to make French fries or chips.
Potatoes are mostly popular because one can eat them without other food accompaniments, making them a convenient food option.
Potatoes are also rich in starch, making them reliable energy providers.
5. Animal Products
Finally, on our list of most commonly eaten foods in the world are animal products, including meat, milk, eggs, and their by-products.
Apart from some sections which do not believe in the consumption of animal products due to the preservation of life, every human community consumes animal products in one way or the other.
Statistics show that an average person consumes about 70 kilograms of meat, 130 kilos of milk, and 22.7 kilos of eggs, per year.
Eggs are consumed independently or, more commonly, as ingredients in other foods, such as baked products.
So, there you have it. Enjoy your food as we keep an eye on these trends going into 2023.
