How Sustainable is the Millennials' Diet? Reflections on a Qualitative Study

Abstract

The world population is growing at a rapid pace. Economic advance is increasing the global demand for food and diversified diets. Agricultural production contributes to the pollution of the environment. Given the limitation of water and land resources, a dietary change is necessary to contribute to food security and ensure the care of the planet. Sustainable and healthy eating, among which the Mediterranean diet is identified, could be the answer. Leaving the parental home to live independently during young adulthood is likely to influence food choice behavior towards the development of unhealthy and unsustainable food choice patterns. This paper draws on a small scale, mixed-methods qualitative study made with young Portuguese and Spanish millennials in 2019 to question the eating practices and perceptions when experiencing transition to adulthood. Based on food diaries and semi-structured interviews, results show that often participants choose the Mediterranean diet. Millennials express interest in continuing to prepare the homemade and traditional dishes they ate before becoming independent, arguing that they are accustomed to flavors, identifying traditional food with healthy food and valuing the affective memories with their family of origin. Overall, millennials’ food practices transversally claim for a water-energy-food nexus, embracing SDGs.