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The Rise of Ready Meals: What Will the Future of Food Look Like Without Kitchens?
Will kitchens exist in the future? Juan Roig’s prediction
A few months ago, Juan Roig, president of Mercadona, made a bold statement that didn’t go unnoticed: “By the middle of the 21st century, there will be no kitchens in homes.”. This wasn’t just a futuristic vision, but rather a reflection of something already happening. The rise of ready meals, the expansion of pre-cooked food, and the success of chains like Mercadona in this sector seem to support his claim.
But is this boom in ready meals really leading us toward a sustainable and nutritious long-term food model? Or are we simply trading time for convenience at the expense of our health and the planet?
Why is the consumption of ready meals increasing? 2024 data and trends
Numbers don’t lie. According to the Spanish Association of Ready Meal Manufacturers (Asefapre), in 2024, the consumption of ready meals in Spain rose by 6.6%, surpassing 702 million kilograms, with sales exceeding €4.197 billion. At Mercadona alone, demand for these products grew exponentially, proving that consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience over cooking time.
Delivery platforms and so-called “dark kitchens” are also transforming the way we eat. These hidden kitchens, designed solely to produce food for delivery, eliminate the traditional concept of the restaurant and prioritize speed over the dining experience.
Did you know that the average time people spend cooking has dropped drastically over the past decade? Immediacy rules—but at what cost?
Is ready-made food sustainable? Environmental impacts and health risks
While ready meals help solve time constraints, we can’t ignore their impact. The environmental impact of this type of food is alarming. The mass production of plastic packaging and the increase in non-biodegradable waste are just the tip of the iceberg. Moreover, this production model creates another problem: the vast amount of food waste generated every day. Easy access to ready-to-eat products encourages impulsive purchases—and with them, food that ends up in the trash.
This model affects the environment not only through packaging but also by wasting the natural resources used to produce food that will never be eaten. On top of that, ready meal producers can’t precisely forecast demand, which forces them to overproduce—creating huge volumes of food waste before products even reach the shelves.
And what about health? Many of these products are essentially artificial food, made with low-quality ingredients, high levels of sodium, saturated fats, and lacking essential nutrients. They are short-term solutions that ignore the long-term effects on our health. The future of food cannot rely solely on heat-and-eat products. This is an emergency fix—not a sustainable lifestyle.
Will ready meals be cost-effective in the future?
As ready meals become more popular, it's fair to ask whether this model will remain cost-effective for consumers in the coming years. While today they may seem convenient and affordable for occasional use, what happens if they become the norm?
The price per portion is often higher than cooking at home, and while this may seem manageable occasionally, will it still be affordable if it becomes a daily habit? In addition, the selection of nutritionally balanced ready meals is still limited—and in most cases, more expensive.
In the long term, it's not just about the price on the receipt, but about the real value we get for every euro spent. In a future where the frequency of consumption increases, we must ask ourselves: Is this pace of consumption sustainable—both economically and nutritionally?
How to eat without cooking and still stay healthy? Smarter alternatives
The good news is: alternatives do exist. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat without cooking, stay healthy, and not spend too much money, the answer lies in finding solutions that combine convenience and nutrition.
Satislent offers just that: a real, balanced alternative for those days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook. There’s no need to rely on so-called "healthy fast food", which often isn’t as healthy as it claims. With Satislent, you get all essential nutrients without falling into the trap of ultra-processed meals or depending on a microwave.
Looking for the best healthy ready meal to avoid cooking? Choose complete, sustainable solutions that truly support your well-being.
Are we witnessing the end of kitchens? A reflection on the future of food
So we return to the big question: Will there be kitchens in the future? Statistics and trends suggest we’ll be cooking less and less—but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on balanced, responsible eating.
Perhaps the real concern isn’t whether kitchens disappear, but whether we stop questioning what we’re eating and at what cost. Are we willing to trade minutes of convenience for years of well-being?
Maybe the real question isn’t will kitchens exist in the future?, but rather will there still be food that truly nourishes us? The revolution doesn’t lie in the stovetop—but in every decision we make at the table.
The future is served. Now it’s up to you to choose what goes on your plate.