In a fascinating new study showing how food preferences vary by political ideology we learn that
this report shows a consistent pattern for conservatives to trend towards "homey", familiar, comfort foods and meat-heavy options. They are more likely than liberals to indulge in fast food and enjoy splurges like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, deep dish pizza and sugar soda. Their idea of international food is a "mainstream" option such as Italian.
Liberals are more likely to be adventuresome eaters, choosing international options such as Japanese or Thai. They eat fast food less frequently than conservatives, and when they do splurge on fast food they have a tendency to favor specialty, regional chains. Liberals are more likely to be vegetarians and to choose healthier options such as whole grain bread, darker greens of lettuce, and more frequent servings of fruit.
don't get me started on why whole grain bread isn't that healthy but lets take a look at some of the questions...
Kitchen Style
Conservatives are twice as likely to choose country-style kitchen
Liberals are 54% more likely to choose very modern style kitchen
This makes sense. Liberals are more likely urban or urban influenced and have less space than suburban or rural homes and hence form follows function.
Preferred French fries
Conservatives prefer McDonald's fries
Liberals prefer "Bistro-type" frites
is this also a question of availability? McDonald's have less density in more liberal urban areas so there is less access to their fries.
At home, which would you typically cook?
Conservatives 56% say burgers, 22% say "tuna casserole or meatloaf"
Liberals say 35% say coconut lamb curry, 35% say burgers
really? I am a serious food person and I would personally question a third of my friends making coconut lamb curry...but whatever.
How often do you eat at fast food restaurants?
Conservatives are 63% more likely say "at least a few times per week"
Liberals are 92% more likely to say "rarely or never"
Preferred Cheese varieties
Conservatives prefer Velveeta, Colby
Liberals prefer Brie
French elitists.
Diet, regular, or no soda?
Conservatives are 25% more likely to drink regular soda
Liberals are 24% more likely to drink no soda at all
again, this doesn't surprise me but I am finding that I am often assuming the worst about the dietary choices of Conservatives...can they do anything right?
Vegetarian?
3% of Conservatives are vegetarians or vegans
11% of Liberals are vegetarians or vegans
Other interesting questions were about pizza toppings, wine (1/3 of Conservatives don't drink it), portion size, presentation, purchasing vs. making cake, spicy foods, fruit consumption, ethnic food and more.
There was broad agreement on some things as well
Romaine is everyone's favorite type of lettuce. (top choice of 42% of conservatives/ 37% of liberals)
oth groups prefer salt on their margarita glass. (44% of conservatives, 49% of liberals)
There's practically no difference in how both groups describe their cooking skill. Most people (41%) say "There are a few things I can cook well", the 3rd lowest skill set listed on a 4-point scale.
Forced to choose "delicious or disgusting", most people say the bacon double cheeseburger is indeed delicious (66% of conservatives, 54% of liberals)
Both groups tip about the same in restaurants. 46% of both groups consider themselves "average tippers" and about 44% consider themselves "generous tippers".
Who doesn't like a good hot dog? 74% of liberals and 83% of conservatives enjoy them.
About 43% of both liberals and conservatives "grow something indoors or outdoors that they also eat".
what are your thoughts on what this says? It certainly says much about obesity and health issues but also it says a lot about openness to new experiences in my view.