A new study shows that many young people in India are interested in eating more plant-based food. The research asked 801 people from Generation Z, aged 18 to 28, who still live with their parents.
The study ‘The Multi-Generational Kitchen: How To Market Plant-Based Eating To Indian Gen Z Households‘ from animal advocacy research nonprofit Faunalytics wanted to learn about their food choices and what they think about becoming vegan.
The results show that many young adults already eat less meat. More than half of the people in the study said they are meat-reducers. About 50% of those who are not vegan said they would like to become vegan in the next year. More than half also believed that their parents might do the same.
The biggest problem is that many people do not know enough about plant-based food. Almost 60% said they need more information before changing their diet. Other common concerns are that dairy is an important part of Indian culture, shopping for plant-based food may take more time, and there may not be enough choices in restaurants.
The study also found that health and taste are the most important reasons for choosing food. Caring about animals and the environment is also important, but it is not the main reason for most young people.
Researchers divided the participants into three groups. One group was very interested in plant-based eating and had only a few problems with changing their diet. Another group wanted to eat more plant-based food but faced many difficulties. The last group was not very interested in changing their eating habits.
The researchers believe that companies and animal welfare groups should give young people clear information and practical advice. They say that better education and easier access to plant-based products could help more families choose this type of diet in the future.
