Poll: More consumers go plant-based for the holidays

OnePoll surveyed 1,000 millennials (ages 24 to 39) and 1,000 baby boomers (ages 56 to 74) on Nov. 23-24, 2020, and uncovered some generational differences towards family meal traditions, but in general, a positive attitude towards change and forming new meal traditions. 

Nearly half (47%) of millennials surveyed said they are more involved in cooking and meal prep around the holidays and more than 40% of boomers said their children eat much differently now compared to when they were young. As a result, new traditions are emerging with over half (55%) of those surveyed stating that they would try something new for holiday meals this year, according to OnePoll's findings.

The poll found that 81% of millennials and 71% of baby boomers surveyed are open to change in their holiday meals this year, And while 68% percent of boomers say they prefer to follow traditions, 52% said they were to open to adapt and change their holiday recipes this year (compared to 58% of millennials).

Healthy eating during the holidays

Results from the survey also suggest that healthy eating during the holiday season is more important to a younger generation with 74% of millennials trying to eat healthier over the holidays, compared to 49% of boomers.

When asked which traditions they will change this year, 39% of millennials responded "eating healthier/more plant-based"​ versus 18% of baby boomers. Half of baby boomers polled said they will prepare at least one plant-based version of a holiday dish this year, while 45% of millennials plan to serve between five to nine plant-based dishes this holiday season.

When asked how willing respondents would be to remake a holiday meal as plant-based, 70% of millennials said they would be willing while 33% of baby boomers would be willing, according to the survey. 

Taking note of the rise in plant-based eating during the holidays, JUST Egg recently launched its "Start your tradition"​​ multi-platform holiday campaign, to highlight "families' food traditions and how quickly things are moving in a plant-based direction,"​ the company stated. 

Some traditions remain 

While many of the surveys responded that they are open and planning new traditions this year over 70% said they will expect to see certain dishes on the table with top dishes being mashed potatoes (44%), sweet potatoes (45%), apple pie (39%), and pecan pie (31%).