Gen Z Eating Habits Survey

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Gen Z Eating Habits Survey

User responses 231,917
Blog image General (1)
Category Food & Beverage
Survey Type Market Research
USA
Market USA
Audience All Audience

Top Insight

  • Respondents prefer consuming comfort foods over other types of food.
  • Flavor/taste is the most most relevant factor for respondents when choosing a new restaurant or product.
  • Respondents associated on-the-go formats with smoothies/drinks more than with other formats.
1.

What types of foods do you enjoy eating most often?

Insight
64%
More than average
64% of respondents prefer consuming comfort foods.
64.9%
Comfort foods (pizza, pasta, burgers)
Comfort foods (pizza, pasta, burgers)
64.95%
150,621
Healthy meals (salads, bowls, lean proteins)
23.55%
54,611
Plant-based or vegan options
7.3%
16,932
Global flavors / street food
2.25%
5,227
Quick snacks / grab-and-go
1.95%
4,526
2.

Which foods or ingredients do you actively avoid?

Insight
1.1X
More than average
consumers prefer avoiding meat and animal products than allergenic foods.
51.1%
Meat and animal products
Meat and animal products
51.12%
7,147
Allergens (gluten, dairy, nuts)
45.89%
6,415
Artificial sweeteners
1.49%
208
Ultra-processed foods
0.96%
134
High-sugar foods
0.54%
76
3.

What influences your decision most when choosing a new restaurant or product?

Insight
4.7X
More than average
respondents chose a new restaurant or product for flavor/taste than for health and nutrition.
61.5%
Flavor / taste
Flavor / taste
61.51%
2,490
Social media trends & recommendations
16.25%
658
Health & nutrition
12.92%
523
Price / affordability
7.71%
312
Sustainability / ethics
1.61%
65
4.

Which of these experiences matters most in your daily food choices?

Insight
31%
More than average
consumers prefer their daily food choices based on convenience.
31%
Convenient
Convenient
31.04%
1,075
Easy
25.82%
894
Fresh
13.31%
461
Attractive
11.9%
412
Craving
9.27%
321
Satisfying
8.66%
300
5.

How much does health or nutrition influence what you eat?

Insight
2.4X
More than average
respondents associated health and nutrition with fitness routines than with meal prep.
42.2%
fitness routines
Fitness routines
42.16%
11,275
Diet plans
22.8%
6,097
Meal prep
17.03%
4,555
Organic shopping
10.81%
2,890
Clean eating
7.19%
1,924
6.

Which of the following flavors do you prefer or are more willing to consume?

Insight
9.7X
More than average
consumers prefer sweet flavors than savory ones.
68.4%
Sweet flavors
Sweet flavors
68.41%
68,110
Spicy flavors
23.11%
23,013
Savory flavors
7.02%
6,991
Bold or unconventional flavors
1.25%
1,241
Classic familiar flavors
0.21%
213
7.

What food formats do you prefer when eating on the go?

Insight
52%
More than average
respondents prefer on-the-go smoothies or drinks.
52%
Smoothies / drinks
Smoothies / drinks
51.98%
1,999
Snack packs
27.41%
1,054
Wraps / sandwiches
10.89%
419
Bowls
9.62%
370
Finger foods
0.1%
4
8.

What food experience do you wish brands offered more?

Insight
3.3X
More than average
consumers prefer brands that offer healthier options than more affordable choices.
41%
More healthy options
More healthy options
40.98%
1,749
More fun, experimental items
38.73%
1,653
More affordable choices
12.23%
522
More plant-based options
7.69%
328
More global / international flavors
0.37%
16
9.

Which recent viral food trends have you tried?

Insight
3.6X
More than average
respondents prefer trying ube-based items than birria ramen.
39.3%
Ube Everything (cookies, lattes, ice cream)
Ube Everything (cookies, lattes, ice cream)
39.28%
1,326
Filthy Protein Lattes / High-Protein Coffee Drinks
23.84%
805
Biscoff Desserts (cheesecakes, tiramisu, cookies)
23.4%
790
Birria Ramen / Birria Tacos Fusion
10.84%
366
Smashburger Tacos
1.45%
49
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
1.1%
37
Chopped Sandwich Salads
0.06%
2
Spicy Chili Oil Eggs / Chili Crisp Everything
0.03%
1