Breakfast During the Pandemic: A Retired Seoer's Reflection

During the ongoing pandemic, breakfast has played a unique role in many of our lives. For me, a retired SEO expert, breakfast routines have remained largely unchanged, but the practice of dining from various restaurants and fast-food places has seen significant alterations. Here, I will delve into the changes and similarities in my breakfast patterns since the onset of the pandemic and share my thoughts on missing any particular fast-food menu.

Pandemic Breakfast Routines

For the most part, my breakfast habits have remained consistent despite the global pandemic. A typical breakfast for me includes bagels or oatmeal, occasionally paired with a sausage and cheese biscuit from a local bakery. These choices represent a mix of go-to staples and occasional treats, much like for many others during this peculiar period.

Many days, I prepare breakfast at home, especially since my older years have brought a sedentary lifestyle. However, the quarantine and shift towards a more active and energetic daily routine has significantly impacted my food choices. Before retiring, my active work in a cozy warehouse shifted thousands of pounds of truck batteries by hand, burning an impressive amount of energy and necessitating a substantial caloric intake. During my retirement, I had to adjust my caloric intake drastically, reducing it by approximately 1200 calories daily.

Meal Delivery and Take-out Options

Another area of my breakfast routine that has changed is the reliance on delivery services. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, having groceries and fast food delivered has become a norm for many. I am fortunate enough to have access to a wide range of cuisine options, from sushi to shwarma, vindaloo to pho, and even samosas. The loss of one delicacy—Cheese Kimchi Udon served in a stone bowl—strikes a chord, highlighting the unique experiences of restaurant dining compared to home-cooked meals. This is a rare item that I simply cannot replicate at home, making its absence deeply felt.

Current Breakfast Preparations

Today, my breakfast looks much like it did before the pandemic. I prepare my own healthy meals, often incorporating leftovers from the previous day's dinner into a satisfying breakfast. However, my choices can vary widely based on my hunger levels and the time available to prepare a meal. On some days, a simple bowl of oatmeal or an English muffin with cream cheese and strawberry preserves suffices. Other days, a more complex choice like a Denver omelet becomes the preferred option. The flexibility of home-cooked meals ensures that my breakfast experience remains varied and enjoyable.

As for missing any particular fast-food menu, it is impossible to miss what I have not had. The menus of the few restaurants I occasionally visit have remained largely unchanged since the start of the pandemic. This includes both the menus of places I usually avoid and those I occasional visit. Despite the reduction in menu options at most restaurants, almost everything I would have ordered before the pandemic is still available today.

Conclusion

Throughout the pandemic, breakfast has remained a comforting and flexible part of my daily routine. Home-cooked meals, meal delivery services, and variations in my eating habits have all contributed to maintaining a sense of normalcy. The absence of certain fast-food items and the unique experiences of restaurant dining have made me appreciate the versatility and joy of home-cooked meals even more.