Research shows that over one third of young people experience “menu anxiety” when eating out at restaurants.
A study of 2,000 adults revealed that 41% of Millennials and Generation Z (aged 18-43) experience this, as opposed to only 15% of those from Generation X and Baby Boomers (aged 44-77.)
The research into this apparent “first world problem” was commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress and conducted by OnePoll.
Researching the menu online before arriving at the restaurant is something younger people are fond of. A quarter of respondents aged 18–43 “always” do this, while just 15% of those aged 44–77 do the same pre-dinner homework.
Younger eaters are more likely than older people to defer their choice until they know what others are ordering, at 47% compared to 30%.
When asked which factors were most important when ordering their meal, taste was unsurprisingly highest in priority (71%), followed by cost (57%).
Younger people around the world are known for their environmental concerns, with climate change regarded as the issue of their generation.
So, understandably, the “environmental impact” of their food choice is important to a fifth of Millennials and Gen Z, compared to only 7% of Gen X and Baby Boomers.
When ordering their grub, 62% of young people said they are “very” or “somewhat” aware of the environmental impact of their meal, while 42% of the older cohorts felt the same.
Also, youngsters are more likely to order vegetarian or vegan options. If a meal is labelled as vegan, 39% said they would order it, compared to 15% of older diners.
Similarly, if a meal is listed as vegetarian, 34% of Gen Z and Millennials would chow-down versus 17% of their greyer-headed counterparts.
According to the survey, 77% of younger respondents would like places to be clearer about the environmental impact of their food, versus 58% of older respondents.
Across all those surveyed, 22% said they factor in the length of time the meal will take to prepare into their decision.
How messy the meal would be was a concern for 16% of those both younger and older.
Jessica Hann, Avocado Green’s Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing and Sustainability, said: “Understanding our environmental impacts shouldn’t just be a younger generation thing.
“We should all be pro clean air, pro clean water and pro healthy climate.
We’re all responsible for the planet we leave behind for our kids and grandkids.”