Understanding the mega-trends happening on the American dinner table can help your brand develop new products and adapt to the changing times.

I grew up in what was considered the Golden Age of this country. Times were simpler; everyone's role was defined. Dad worked; my mom took care of the home. Dinner was at 6 p.m. Depending on the day of the week, you knew what meal would be served. Friday? Fish. Sunday? Pasta. Special occasions? Out to a restaurant: There was a steak house, certainly a bunch of Italian restaurants (none of which apparently could stack up to Grandma's recipes), and if you really wanted to be exotic, there was Chinese.

Now, in as much as the family dinner is a special and fading tradition (subject for a future discussion), what else about this time was so "golden?" Considering how that behavioral construct fits into today's world, it occurs to me that there are only so many of Grandma's meatballs you can eat before you just need some good sushi. But, of course, that's because I'm a product of the times -- and the times have changed.

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