The Future of Eating – Food Trends Predicted for 2018

If our future lies in the hands of our youngest generation, let’s take a look at the forecasted eating patterns for Generation Z, those 0 to 23 years old.  But before we look at any research findings, what’s your prediction? What food trends do you predict for this age group?

For example, which of the following do you predict will rise the most in the next 5 years in this age group?

a) simple breakfast foods/cold cereals
b) salads
c) breakfast foods requiring some cooking/eggs
d) Ready To Eat (RTE) Snacks

When I think of my Gen Z kids, 10 and 13, my initial reaction is to think about snacks and cold cereal.  Apparently, I ought to give them more credit.  Here’s what a recent market research report by the NPD Group called The Future of Eating: Who’s Eating What in 2018? found.

Gen Z food trends and eating preferences

According to the report Generation Z (0-23) and Millenials (24-37) want more involvement, not necessarily more complexity, in preparing their food and meals, particularly at breakfast. Breakfast foods that are perceived to be fresher and require more prep or cooking, like eggs, hot cereal, and center plate proteins, are projected to grow by 8 percent over the next five years.

The research found Generation Z consumers prefer home-cooked foods over processed, ready-to-eat meals such as cold cereal. They aren’t big fans of microwaves, and would rather use a stove top or oven to prepare meals.

Cooking habits of Millenials Gen X and Gen Z

Fresh, more involved home-cooked food?!  Whoo hoo!  In case you haven’t noticed, I‘m all about cooking from scratch and using fresh food, this trend is definitely something I want for my kids.

Here’s what fresh foods (fresh fruits & veggies, eggs, meats and processed meats) were most popular with Gen Z in 2013.

top foods 2013 Gen ZIt’s reassuring to see a whole generation becoming more interested and involved in the food they eat.  I can only hope that with this trend comes a greater interest and awareness of where that food comes from, how it is produced and how it impacts the rest of the world – our environment, our economy, food distribution, food security, food marketing, etc.  

Are you surprised by the results?

Getty Stewart is an engaging speaker and writer providing tasty recipes, time-saving tips, and helpful kitchen ideas to make home cooking easy and enjoyable. She is a Professional Home Economist, author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, mom and veggie gardener.

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