The more things change, the more things stay the same. Holiday meals still feature traditional proteins such as turkey and ham. But younger families also embrace smaller portions, deboned meats and convenience with pre-made meal kits or restaurant takeout.
“We’ve seen a real shift toward wanting to eat healthier, plant-based new entrees,” says Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., a San Francisco-based consumer psychologist and author of “Decoding the New Consumer Mind.” “But during the holidays, consumers look for what’s familiar — what Mom made, what they always had growing up.”