A lot of what we know about food is largely based on the decade in which we were growing and developing. It’s interesting that most Millennials were raised by Boomers. So how different are these two generations when it comes to their views on food?
Millennials are people typically born from 1981 – 1996.
Baby Boomers are people typically born from 1946 – 1964.
Since owning my brick-and-mortar store since 2013, I’ve been acutely aware of the buying distinctions between millennials versus baby boomer shoppers. There are always exceptions, but generally there is a theme when it comes to the two generations.
Let’s start with common phrases or questions I’ve heard and see if you can match the question to the generation:
- How many calories?
- Will ‘this’ make me fat?
- Where did ‘this’ come from?
- What makes ‘this’ healthy?
How about the following phrases when it comes to overall philosophy about food?
- Why is eating healthy expensive?
- Eating healthy lacks flavor and is boring.
- I want to understand how the food I’m consuming is contributing to my overall health and well-being.
- This is a lifestyle not a diet.
If you attributed numbers 1 and 2 with Boomers and numbers 3 and 4 with Millennials, then you’re correct. As I mentioned, these are generalities and don’t encompass every person. There are plenty of Boomers that have been on their clean eating journey, and plenty of Millennials that have yet to start.
With that said, Boomers are a harder demographic to convince to eat clean, they are more willing to take prescription drugs for health conditions versus finding a holistic approach. They are still counting calories, believe that if they workout then they can consume whatever they want, and generally consider the organic label either a fad or a scam.
Whereas Millennials prioritize holistic well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health. They understand that health is not solely determined by calorie consumption but is a result of multiple factors, including stress management, sleep quality, social connections, and self-care practices. This broader perspective encourages millennials to focus on cultivating a healthy relationship with food, rather than obsessing over numbers on a scale.
Regardless of the generation, how do you see yourself? It’s never too late to make a change. It starts with you wanting to make a change. Not sure where to start? Sign up for my course and 30-day program here.
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