What are the Gen Z latest food trends?

Food trends come and go.  Trends from long ago like the bogus vinegar diet keeps coming back again.  What are the food trends of the Gen Z?  My daughter, not a Gen Z, sent me an interesting article, Tracking the Latest Gen Z Food Trends in 2024.  How do their food trends differ from previous generations?

What age group is Gen Z?

As of 2024, Gen Z are those born from 1997-2012.  Thus, they range in age from 12 and 27 years of age.  So, some have reached adulthood.    

What are their main concerns re food?

Gen Zers are interested in foods that are: “healthy, sustainable, and affordable, and readily available on demand”.   Doesn’t sound like they would be growing gardens as they want food right away. 

How do Gen Zers differ from millennials?

Not a huge difference but Gen Z are more interested in vegan and vegetarian foods but on and off.  So more like the Flexitarian diet.  (See:  Best Diets for Healthy Eating in 2024 to learn more about the Flexitarian Diet.)

Gen Zers are focused on convenience and they say they like to limit foods high in sugar or highly processed.

Millennials and Gen X are interested physical fitness.  In contrast, Gen Z are more into holistic health including mental health and in nutrition. 

Gen Z look for restaurants that focus on “sustainability, environmental impact, and utilize locally sourced ingredients”.  

Gen Z are looking towards plant-based food.

In the classes I taught, I asked students if they ate plant-based foods.  Many were quite confused by the term.  Some would say they ate no plant-based foods but when I looked at their diet, they ate French fries (potatoes) and hamburgers with a bun.  They didn’t seem to realize the bun was made from wheat, a grain, so buns are plant-based.  Gen Z will choose plant-based milks thinking these milks are better for the environment but then don’t realize these “milks” may not be the best health choice.  (See:  Real dairy or plant-based milks? ).  Or, Gen Z may focus on meat alternatives thinking these are better for the environment but then not investigate the nutritional differences between real meat and meat alternatives.  As noted in my blog, Be cautious of foods that appear healthy but may not be beneficial for your well-being , meat alternatives are losing some popularity.  And many meat alternatives are highly processed, contain coconut oil, and some are high in fat. 

Focusing on plant-based foods can be a healthy choice if one focuses on eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.   These foods are a great way to add some good nutrition to one’s diet.

Gen Zers like to focus on health.

An interesting focus on Gen Zers is “digestive and gut health”.  They will look at menus for the terms, “organic, fresh, and sustainable ingredients”.  

Gen Z likes to snack.

Forget about sitting down to a meal as Gen Zers like to snack or eat shorter meals during the day.  Although Gen Z say they focus on healthy snacks, when asked about “their favorite snacks, only 3% of them mentioned fruits, vegetables or nuts.”  Rather they list Cheetos (highly processed), Doritos, Cheetos, and Lay’s.   At least Lay’s uses a heart healthy oil.  As noted in previous blogs, there are healthier snack choices like a handful of nuts, a bag of SunChips, some Food Should Taste Good chips, or a bag of SkinnyPop popcorn.  Popcorn is whole grain so a healthy snack choice.  (See:  Is your favorite snack an ultra-processed food? )

Should you adopt Gen Z food habits?

Focusing on more plant-based foods including fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains is healthy.  But plant-based meat alternatives and plant-based milks are not what I would add to my diet.  Interesting that Gen Zer’s are focused on sustainability and locally sourced but no mention of gardening or even growing herbs on one’s deck or patio.  I like going out to my deck to clip some fresh parsley or chives.  Easy to grow in just a pot on the deck.  Focusing on locally grown foods is a good thing.  Who doesn’t like to go to a Farmer’s market for some fresh fruit and veggies?  This week my husband went to a farmer’s stand and came back with plums, raspberries, blackberries, and tomatoes. What is better than a BLT sandwich made with fresh tomatoes?  One son-in-law has a huge garden, the other son-in-law has huge pots of herbs growing in their backyard.  Their veggies and herbs are very fresh, environmentally friendly, organic, and locally sourced. 

Conclusion:  Following changing food habits of young adults is interesting.   Many of us grew up with relatives having huge gardens, both of my grandparents did.  Great that gardening and growing herbs is back in fashion.  Maybe not yet with Gen Zer’s but those older than Gen Z are into gardening which is great for one’s health.  Or, buying locally grown food from a farmer’s market or farmer’s stand is a healthy way to enjoy locally sourced food and to support local farmers.  I wonder how much Gen Z’s food habits will change over time? 

Sources:  Tracking the Latest Gen Z Food Trends in 2024 , age group ,  Best Diets for Healthy Eating in 2024 , Real dairy or plant-based milks? , Be cautious of foods that appear healthy but may not be beneficial for your well-being , snack , SunChips , Food Should Taste Good , SkinnyPop , Is your favorite snack an ultra-processed food?    Image Sources:  food trends , Future of Food , Snack insights