Goodful - Healthy Food Videos

“Inspiration for living a more balanced life” – Goodful

Thanks to the introduction of rolling videos on Facebook (roughly 15-20 short videos in succession of one another) finding new recipes and new dinner party ideas are no longer limited to cookbooks or online cooking resources. This new accessibility means that many people (young and old) have the chance to recreate these recipes at home, but what is it about these videos that have made them so popular?

As you can see these require little effort to engage with them, in a matter of 40-80 seconds a whole meal has been prepared before your very eyes. Unlike cookery programs that normally run for at least 30 minutes per show, with roughly 2-3 recipes shown in that time, these short videos allow you access to a multitude of recipes in a fraction of the time.

The only words that we do see in the video are simply a list of the ingredients as they go in, there is no elaborate voice over describing what each ingredient is bringing to the table. The simplicity of it all highlights that the food is the main attraction of the video, the lack of description is shown through the actions in the videos. There is no need to be directed as the direction is visibly clear throughout, although, if you do require any further instructions there is always a link posted beneath the video.

Danny and I have attempted to make several of the recipes we have found on Goodful, the only time we ever use the further instructions is solely to obtain the list of ingredients; rather than manically trying to scribble them down as you watch the video (which I will admit I have tried doing in the past, until Danny kindly pointed me in the right direction). However, the only thing that these videos are severely lacking in, is a connection to the host. Unlike Joe and Katie, there is no story – there is no connection to the food that you are going to recreate and eventually eat. It is essentially there to just satisfy your food cravings.

Is there an issue with the lack of connection? 

Due to their popularity, I would have to say no, as we can gain a connection through our own personal adaptions to the food we are being presented. By adding your own adaptation this allows you to show off your own skills to your loved ones and make them a meal that means something to you. You can start to make your own food stories thanks to the convenience of Goodful and use them as "inspiration for living a more balanced life".