A study carried out by a research group at Wageningen University analysed 39 families to assess their willingness to substitute animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives, which can provide the same nutritional value and, in some cases, even the same taste as meat.

The central assumption of the research is that involving children in decision-making processes is key to encouraging the inclusion of more plant-based foods in the family diet. Furthermore, the study highlights that children’s participation in grocery shopping can guide families towards plant-based alternatives. The parent-child relationship can be pivotal in changing eating habits and serves as a powerful driver for gradually reducing meat consumption, contributing to a lower environmental impact.

Study Results

Wageningen University studied 39 parent-child pairs, with the children aged between 9 and 11 years. The research was conducted in two phases: one with open-ended questions and another with individual interviews. The aim of the study was to try to answer the question: “How do our decisions about what to eat influence the incorporation of plant-based foods into family meals?”

The following factors were identified as influencing food choice:

  • Personal factors: knowledge of products, preparation skills, taste preferences.
  • Product-related factors: health, price, preparation effort.
  • Contextual factors: time of day/week, habits, availability of time, priorities.


It was observed that the presence of children during shopping influenced the decisions of 25 parents. Parents feel the need to alternate between junk food and healthy options. A common barrier to consuming plant-based foods is a lack of familiarity with the ingredients. Still, a third of parents reported would occasionally serve these foods to offer their children a balanced diet. Moreover, including both animal and plant-based foods helps maintain a positive atmosphere at mealtimes, as it aims to satisfy the diverse tastes of all family members.


A major difference between parents and children lies in their motivations for choosing plant-based foods. While parents mainly mentioned environmental sustainability, children were more sensitivity to animal welfare and express concern about harming animals. In terms of barriers to adopting plant-based alternatives to meat, there was general agreement between parents and children: improvements in taste and appearance are key. Other barriers include a lack of information about nutritional values and sustainability, limited knowledge about how to cook plant-based alternatives, unattractive packaging, and the origin of products.

In summary, greater participation of children in food-related decisions can increase the presence of plant-based foods in family diets —provided their appearance and taste are improved, as these are central to food choices. When consulted, children often inspire the creation of new dishes, which in turn encourages parents to adapt routines and offer more balanced meals. Educating children about food variety has a positive ripple effect on parental choices, ultimately leading to a healthier and more sustainable family diet.

Kitchen Adventure in Line with the Study

The Kitchen Adventure project aligns perfectly with the above. Both the study and the project agree that collaboration between parents and children is key to establishing healthy and lasting eating habits. Through sustainable food cooking sessions, parents and children can discover new textures, flavours, and cooking techniques —while strengthening their bond.

Beyond promoting healthier eating, investing time together in the kitchen can also play a crucial role in shaping the future by nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious individuals. Every effort towards sustainability becomes even more impactful when shared with the people we love.

This article was written by the Kitchen Adventure team.