How does Generation Z stack up as future consumers? According to a recent Mintel report, Generation Z (ages 12-22) is likely to be health conscious, interested in cooking and craving international cuisine.

You can thank their parents. Traits of this lifestyle group include:

• Influenced by parents who are “on the lookout for sugar”— 25 percent of teens aged 15-17 say they worry about staying healthy.
• 49 percent of Gen Z’ers said they think drinking soda is unhealthy.
• 36 percent of U.S. parents of children under age 18 agree that their kids enjoy eating international foods.

And it’s not just Mexican or Chinese anymore. Here’s how that interest in eating in international restaurants pans out:

• Generation Z prefers: Indian (36%), Middle Eastern (38%) or African (27%)
• Adult Generation Z consumers (aged 18-22) are also much more likely than older generations to find culinary inspiration from social media: 62 percent say they cooked international cuisines at home from social media compared to 46 percent of Millennials (aged 23-40) and 23 percent of Generation X consumers (aged 41-52).
• Raised having access to information at their fingertips 24/7, 80 percent of Generation Z consumers under age 18 say their hobbies/interests (like cooking) are just as important as their school work.
• 36 percent of consumers aged 10-17 and 31 percent of those aged 18-22 believe being creative is an important factor to being successful as an adult. Mintel researchers say this is an opportunity “to offer do-it-yourself experiences that help Tweens, teens and young adults be creative and, eventually, confident in the kitchen.”

Source: Mintel, “Generation Z Set to Impact the Future of Food and Drink”