Teenagers Interested in Gastronomy
Gastronomy represents an attractive world for many adolescents. The relationship that young people have with food seems to have undergone important changes since the confinement required by the pandemic. Kids spent a lot of time at home, without the possibility of going out with friends, which made them venture into the kitchen. Now more than ever, many teenagers are interested in gastronomy.
In addition, vegetarianism, veganism, and the implementation of healthy eating habits are increasingly widespread practices among adolescents. And this seems to have awakened a certain interest in gastronomy in general. In fact, many young people share their culinary experiences on blogs or other social networks.
Teenagers and gastronomy
The relationship of teenagers with gastronomy can vary widely depending on culture, social environment, and education. It’s true that a good part of the youth population has few skills when it comes to preparing a plate of food. However, more and more young people are interested in gastronomy.
A study conducted by the Nestlé Observatory in Spain yielded some very interesting data on the eating habits of adolescents during COVID-19 isolation. Here are some of the results:
- 30 % of the young people interviewed have increased their consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
- 30 % of the adolescents ate for the first time one of the most traditional dishes of Spanish gastronomy: Potato tortilla.
- Twelve percent of these children dared to bake their first homemade bread.
The influence of trends
Fortunately, healthy lifestyles are a hot topic among teens. Self-care practices, both physical and mental, are becoming more and more widespread among the younger generation.
In recent times, teenagers’ favorite social networks have been flooded with stories about the implementation of healthy habits. For example, there are recipes for preparations that include vegetables, legumes, and proteins and valuable information about taking care of mental and emotional health. On a digital level, young people choose to consume content that contributes in a good way to their overall well-being. This denotes how health awareness has increased considerably.
In turn, concern for the environment and commitment to animal life is driving more and more teenagers to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. This issue forces them to enter the culinary field in a more responsible and creative way.
For teenagers interested in gastronomy, it’s a world of exploration
Gastronomy is a term that refers to the study and practice of food preparation, presentation, and consumption. However, we could also say that it’s an art. It’s a world of pleasure and exploration.
The different sensations that each dish brings are capable of transporting us to faraway places with just one bite. That’s why teenagers are willing to venture beyond what they’re used to eating and try new dishes. In this way, they can broaden their horizons and have a better understanding of cultural diversity.
In the kitchen, young people can innovate, taste, combine, and feel free to create dishes that include their personal tinge. In that way, their preparations could reflect their style. Therefore, many teenagers prefer to feel independent and take credit for having prepared meals with their own hands.
Sharing a table, sharing an experience
Gastronomy can become a group and community activity, where people connect with each other to share their love for the culinary art. Cooking and eating together can be a way to strengthen communication and conviviality. It also helps build closer and more meaningful relationships.
In this regard, when adolescents are interested in cooking, it’s a positive aspect that can provide important individual and social benefits. Undoubtedly, it represents a valuable space for young people to inhabit, as long as they feel attracted to it.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Souza Moraes, K. C., de Almeida, M. E. F., & Santos, V. S. (2019). Efecto de la gastronomía sobre la aceptabilidad de las verduras por los adolescentes. Ciencia y Salud, 12(1), e26699-e26699.
- VII Observatorio Nestlé. (2020). La alimentación de las familias durante el confinamiento. Los adolescentes mejoran sus hábitos en el confinamiento: comen más fruta y verdura, innovan en la cocina y hacen más ejercicio. Nestlé España S.A