Mumbai’s Gen-Z: ‘People think we always eat junk food or follow an unhealthy diet’

Mumbai-based Gwen D'mello rarely enters the kitchen but when she does, the 15-year-old girl makes some of her favourite snacks. She shares, "I like to make French toast, cheese-stuffed pockets, pancakes or chili potatoes. I like to cook things that are easy and quick to make and are also tasty and sumptuous. I even go a step further and garnish my all-time favourite French toast with some chocolate syrup." Even though Gwen is at the latter end of the generation, she is among scores of teens who like to enter the kitchen even if occasionally to enjoy some of their favourites and add their own twist to it.

Generation Z or Gen-Z are the talk of the town with each passing day. They are fearless and experimentative not only on the internet and in the corporate world but also at restaurants and cafés outside. Understandably, all their food choices have been influenced by their mothers and fathers. While the parents emphasise on the need to eat good and healthy home-cooked food, they also take the liberty of introducing them to fast food joints in the city as times have changed. Beyond that, their food choices are also influenced by the place they are in to cater to their needs.

When it is inside their homes, they enter the kitchen to cook up a storm when they crave their favourite food. Every other day, we come across videos and reels of them cooking different kinds of dishes or making easier versions of classic dishes that not only their generation but even millennials want to try out because of sheer curiosity. Interestingly, Gwen isn't the only one entering the kitchen and experimenting with her food.

Cooking when craving strikes
Even though 23-year-old Nafisa D'mello believes she isn't good at cooking and rarely enters the kitchen to cook for herself, the few times that she does cook for herself, she mostly relies on effortless cooking. "Whenever I enter the kitchen to cook something, it is mostly basic food that does not require too many ingredients or a lot of time. So, when I do, it is mostly dishes like fried potatoes or omelettes," she explains. Like Gwen, even Nafisa indulges in a mix of home-cooked food and fast food. Given the nature of her day, which usually revolves around college and extra-curricular activities, the Mumbaikar grabs a quick bite between lectures at some fast-food corner but like any other person, also treats herself to a good meal at a nice restaurant. On other days, she really soaks in the comfort of a good homemade meal.

Just like Nafisa, even Andrea Saldanha, another Mumbaikar would choose home-cooked food over fast food, even though she likes to eat both. While the 23-year-old rarely enters the kitchen, when she does, it is usually to make her favourite snacks that often extend to Continental dishes, and since her mother Sangeeta Saldanha knows her likes and dislikes like no other, the latter often makes her favourites. "Andrea likes to eat Mysore dosa, French fries, cheese sandwich, fried fish, and chicken fry. I even make a combination of Mysore dosa and cheese sandwich, which they enjoy the most," shares the 50-year-old, who believes in adding a touch of innovation to her dishes.

Mother's recipe
It is a stark difference from when she was growing up. "⁠Their choices are very different from ours as teenagers. As youngsters, we had to eat what was on our plate, but with them they can choose their dish and explore according to their taste buds," adds the mother, who says she has also taught her children to cook, and they lend her a hand whenever she requires help. It is no different for Muriel D'mello, Gwen's mother, who doesn't convince her daughter to cook but enjoys her company while she is cooking in the kitchen.

On the other hand, Sabina D'mello, Nafisa's mother does try to tell her daughter towards the kitchen, only so that she can learn basic cooking skills. Since the latter doesn't enjoy seafood and green vegetables, the 63-year-old mother often cooks dishes made out of chicken or sprouts and pulses, as she believes her daughter needs to eat healthy, which is different from the time she was a child. "Nafisa enjoys chicken curry, chicken pattice and one particular prawn dish that I make. I also make a basic bread pudding with a few of my personal touches to the recipe," she adds.

It is quite similar in Hanshika Shetty's home as her mother Mamta Shetty makes Afghani Chicken, which she believes is their favourite, along with seafood. Interestingly, even as 53-year-old Mamta makes rasam and rice, along with dishes from fish and chicken often, her daughter has a completely different take on food. It is no wonder that her mother says the food choices are quite different from her time, as nowadays they are more influenced by their tastes and get the food items with ease. "I don't enter the kitchen that often. It totally depends on the situation but when I do, pasta is my go-to dish because it is the only dish I know to make perfectly," adds Hanshika.

Diya Maniar, another Gen-Z Mumbaikar takes it a step further than others her age because she actually loves cooking. She explains, "I find joy in preparing meals, especially when my mom is tired or when boredom strikes. It has become a weekly ritual for me to cook at least once a week, adding a delightful routine to my week." Such is her passion for cooking that the 19-year-old makes dishes such as parathas, Amritsari kulchas, and even Chinese dishes. "My specialty lies in crafting the best khaman dhokla, earning approval from my family who prefer my homemade version over external options," she proudly adds.

While traditional dishes are the Mumbaikar's favourite with bindi sabzi being on the top of her list, Maniar also enjoys the classic Mumbai sandwich, which is her go-to snack on any given day. Undoubtedly, her mother Vishaka Maniar says she is concerned about her daughter's health and that is why she tries to make all her daughter's favourite dishes at home including Chinese dishes, which the teen has picked up too. "I encourage my daughter to explore the kitchen on her own, and I'm delighted to see that she is quite responsible. There are times when she takes the initiative to cook for herself, especially when I'm not around or when hunger strikes," adds the 43-year-old.

Common misconceptions about food habits
As always, Gen Z is often at the receiving end because of their bold choices. So, it is no surprise that the generation believes there is a general misconception about Gen-Z and their food habits. Diya explains, "⁠A common misconception about Gen Z and food is assuming that we solely gravitate towards quick and convenient options. In reality, many of us appreciate diverse and homemade cuisines, embracing a rich tapestry of flavours and culinary experiences."

Gwen agrees. She says, "People believe Gen Z are picky and like fast food more than home-cooked meals. I believe not everyone is the same and all have a peculiar choice of food. So, the choices made by Gen Z with regards to food depend totally on the person." Nafisa concludes, "People of our age are always misunderstood to enjoy unhealthy junk over homemade meals. While it does hold some truth, it's not always the case. Many of us also enjoy and prefer homemade food."