The latest results of the X Nestlé Observatory of Nutritional Habits and Lifestyle of Families has wanted to take the pulse of the role played by new technologies in the eating habits of young people and has revealed that young people are increasingly involved in healthy eating.
Specifically, the study shows that 30% of young Spaniards say that they have enough information to eat healthily. However, among those who decide to seek information on what to eat and how to eat well, “36% say they acquire this knowledge through the social networks of nutritionists and up to 27% confess that they are guided by the recommendations and nutritional habits that their reference influencers show, for example, on Instagram or TikTok,” explains Laura González, head of nutrition at Nestlé Spain. In fact, only two out of 10 young people go to a professional nutritionist for personalized attention.
In this regard, 44% of young Spaniards who use technological applications for food-related issues learn to cook by following recipes they see on social networks. However, asked where they learned to cook the last recipe, about 20% of respondents between 18 and 35 years old recognize that they did so by following family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation in their home.
“The most recent data from the Observatory show that social networks are very present when it comes to inspiration in the kitchen, but recipes passed down from grandparents to parents and then to children still carry considerable weight. Today, one in 10 young people already learns how to make a fried egg through Instagram, but the majority (practically six out of 10) recognize that they learned to fry it or make the classic potato omelette following family tricks,” explains Laura González, head of nutrition at Nestlé Spain.
On the other hand, 16% of the young people surveyed opt for the help of websites or culinary apps, only 11% consult traditional recipe books when they get in front of the stove and a meager 2% choose interactive voice-guided devices as allies in the kitchen. “The tenth edition of our study also shows that social networks also play a very important role in guiding them in their eating habits,” says Laura González, head of nutrition at Nestlé Spain.
Generation Z and millennials vs. generation X and boomers
Comparing other eating habits among the different generations, the Nestlé Observatory reveals that grilling is the predominant cooking technique among Spaniards. Thirty-seven percent of the young people surveyed eat lunch or dinner on the griddle every day; 13 points more than older people. After the griddle option, the second most popular choice among generation Z and millennials is the oven (18% of them use it a lot) while, for the previous generations (also called generation X and boomers), the second position in the ranking is occupied by the microwave. 17% of these use it compared to the meager 5% of youth who do.
“These data reflect that young people are increasingly involved in healthy eating. We see it in what they choose to eat, but also in how they cook it,” Laura González points out. “For example, up to 15% of young people cook regularly, four points more than older Spaniards. This is a sign that healthy eating is becoming more and more popular among the younger generations and that there is a growing interest in the gastronomic world and cooking. They are concerned about eating better and, in turn, are open to enjoying cooking as a leisure activity. This is very positive because cooking is the first step in establishing healthy eating habits,” he concludes.
Another example is the air fryer. This kitchen utensil has become indispensable among young people. Almost 40% of them have it at home; ten points more than it is present in their parents’ home.
Source: Financial Food