Generational food trends in the UK - statistics & facts

While eating behavior and developing food trends vary widely between regions and countries, consumption differences can also be seen amongst generational cohorts within the UK, with each group holding varying priorities and food-related values. The food and nutrition preferences of younger generational groups will shape the food industry in the UK for years to come; producers, manufacturers, and retailers should keep a close eye on emerging trends to stay as relevant as possible to consumers with increasing disposable income.

Diets and intolerances

Millennials in the United Kingdom are the group that are most likely to follow any kind of nutritional rules. According to recent Statista Consumer Insights data, flexitarian and low- or no-carb diets were the most popular amongst millennials, with 18 percent of respondents following either type when surveyed. A flexitarian diet involves eating fish or meat occasionally, while mainly sticking to vegetarian products. Generation Z respondents were also most likely to be following a low- or no-carb diet, followed by lactose-free. The younger the consumer, the more likely they were to report any kind of food intolerance in the UK. The higher prevalence of reported intolerances amongst Generation Z suggests that they could be more conscious of what they are eating and the potential negative impacts on their bodies.

Meat and dairy consumption across the ages

The consumption of meat and dairy products remains a hot topic in the food realm. In the United Kingdom, the revenue for both meat substitutes and milk substitutes is set to experience growth in the years to come and reach a revenue of 1.71 billion U.S. dollars and 1.35 million U.S. dollars, respectively. Surveyed millennials were most likely to be meat substitute consumers in the UK. When it comes to trying out foods produced with advanced technologies, such as cultured or lab-grown meat, Generation Z narrowly beat millennials to have the highest share of respondents open to trying out such products. With over 40 percent of surveyed Generation Z respondents planning not to eat meat at all in 2023, the interest in lab-grown alternatives could be set to increase in the near future for those who still want a meaty sensory experience. The current upward trend of meat prices, specifically beef, which has experienced a year-on-year increase in price in almost all product types, may play a role in discouraging consumption across all generations.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Largest generational cohort in the UK: Millennials

Share of flexitarian millennials in the UK: 18%

Leading diet amongst Gen Z in the UK: Low-carb / no-carb

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Market value of grocery retail in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2027 (in billion GBP)

Food & Beverage

Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027

Population

Population of the UK 1990-2022, by generation

Share of adults that plan to not eat meat in Great Britain in 2023, by generation

Eating Behavior

Share of adults that plan to not eat meat by generation in Great Britain in 2023

Recommended statistics

Overview

Premium Statistic Grocery shopping by type in the United Kingdom 2023, by generation
Grocery shopping by type in the United Kingdom 2023, by generation
Grocery shopping by type in the United Kingdom as of December 2023, by generation
Premium Statistic Generation Z weekly food spend in the UK 2022, by channel
Generation Z weekly food spend in the UK 2022, by channel
Average spending per week on groceries by Generation Z in the UK in 2022, by channel
Premium Statistic Social media food behavior of young consumers in Europe in 2022
Social media food behavior of young consumers in Europe in 2022
Popular social media food activities of Millennials and Generation Z in Europe in 2022
Premium Statistic Leading factors considered by Gen Z when making a purchase in the UK 2022
Leading factors considered by Gen Z when making a purchase in the UK 2022
Leading considerations influencing Gen Z consumers purchasing decisions in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022

Diets and nutrition

Premium Statistic Consumers with food intolerances in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Consumers with food intolerances in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Share of consumers with one or more food intolerances in the UK in 2022/23, by generation
Premium Statistic Gen Z diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Gen Z diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Do you follow one or more of the following nutrition rules?
Premium Statistic Millennial diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Millennial diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Do you follow one or more of the following nutrition rules?
Premium Statistic Generation X diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Generation X diets and nutrition in the UK 2022/23
Do you follow one or more of the following nutrition rules?

Eating and cooking habits

Premium Statistic Share of consumers who actively try to eat heathy in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Share of consumers who actively try to eat heathy in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Consumers who actively try to eat healthy in the UK in 2022/23, by generation
Premium Statistic Share of consumers who prefer food to be convenient in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Share of consumers who prefer food to be convenient in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Consumers who think that food must be convenient and fast in the UK in 2022/23, by generation
Premium Statistic How often Gen Z and Millennial use DIY meal boxes in the UK 2022
How often Gen Z and Millennial use DIY meal boxes in the UK 2022
Frequency of meal kit usage among Generation Z and young Millennials in the UK in 2022
Premium Statistic University students' change in eating habits in the UK 2022
University students' change in eating habits in the UK 2022
Changes in eating habits in the past year amongst undergraduate students in the United Kingdom (UK) as of February 2022

Meat and dairy consumption

Premium Statistic Share of adults that plan to not eat meat by generation in Great Britain in 2023
Share of adults that plan to not eat meat by generation in Great Britain in 2023
Share of adults that plan to not eat meat in Great Britain in 2023, by generation
Premium Statistic Meat substitute consumers in the UK 2023, by generation
Meat substitute consumers in the UK 2023, by generation
Share of consumers who eat meat substitutes in the UK in 2023, by generation
Premium Statistic Willingness to try cultured meat in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Willingness to try cultured meat in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Consumers who are open to trying cultured meat in the UK in 2022/23, by generation
Premium Statistic Dairy substitute consumers in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Dairy substitute consumers in the UK 2022/23, by generation
Share of consumers who eat dairy substitutes in the UK in 2022/23, by generation
Premium Statistic Plant-based milk consumers in the United Kingdom 2022, by milk type & age group
Plant-based milk consumers in the United Kingdom 2022, by milk type & age group
Which, if any, of the following do you include in your diet nowadays?

Favorite dishes

Premium Statistic Most popular British dishes among millennials in Great Britain Q1 2023
Most popular British dishes among millennials in Great Britain Q1 2023
Millennials' favorite British dishes in Great Britain (GB) as of Q1 2023
Premium Statistic Most popular British dishes among the Generation X in Great Britain Q1 2023
Most popular British dishes among the Generation X in Great Britain Q1 2023
Generation X's favorite British dishes in Great Britain (GB) as of Q1 2023
Premium Statistic Most popular British dishes among baby boomers in Great Britain Q1 2023
Most popular British dishes among baby boomers in Great Britain Q1 2023
Baby boomers' favorite British dishes in Great Britain (GB) as of Q1 2023
Premium Statistic Leading types of takeaway food in Great Britain 2021, by age group
Leading types of takeaway food in Great Britain 2021, by age group
Most popular types of takeaway cuisine in Great Britain as of January 2021, by age group

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Key figures

The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "Generational food trends in the UK" and take you straight to the corresponding statistics.

Value of the UK grocery retail market
211.9bn GBP
Detailed statistics
Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
Annual consumer price index of food in the UK
115.2
Detailed statistics
Food consumer price index (CPI) annual average in the United Kingdom (UK) 2003-2023
Share of consumers eating less meat to limit contribution to climate change in GB
37%
Detailed statistics
Share of consumers trying to eat less meat to fight climate change worldwide 2022