Convenience may increase vegetable intake among young consumers

Nikoline Bach Hyldelund, Signe Worck, Annemarie Olsen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Current food trends such as healthy eating, plant-based diets and sustainability encourage consumers to eat more vegetables. However, it is a challenge for many, including the younger generations, to meet the dietary recommendations regarding vegetable intake. The purpose of this study was to investigate if vegetable convenience products can increase the daily intake of vegetables among young consumers. A total of 100 participants were randomly allocated to receive either regular or convenience vegetables for a week and filled in questionnaires about vegetable use and consumption before after the intervention. Results showed that participants who received convenience vegetable products significantly increased their daily vegetable consumption by 19% (p = 0.005), but there was no significant difference between the groups during the intervention period. Furthermore, convenience vegetable products were used and perceived differently from regular vegetables. It was found that especially the preparation of the convenient vegetable products had an impact on how the products were perceived. Participants indicated that they were not willing to buy or pay more for convenience in relation to vegetables. In conclusion, convenience vegetable products may increase vegetable intake among young consumers. However, this specific consumer group may find barriers within their values regarding food, consumerism and sustainability, which prevent them from buying convenience food products.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103925
JournalFood Quality and Preference
Volume83
Number of pages6
ISSN0950-3293
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Convenience food
  • Vegetable intake
  • Vegetables
  • Willingness to buy

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