How gender norms influence women’s food choices

With societal expectations and cultural conditioning still fundamentally guiding women’s eating habits, it’s time we addressed the often-overlooked issue of gendered appetites.

In kitchens and dining rooms across the globe, an unseen force shapes the way that women interact with food.

From portion size to preference, gender norms have long dictated what it means to ‘eat like a lady,’ the pervasive influence of this affecting everything from marketing tactics to agricultural practices.

Peeling back the layers of an issue that’s complex and – arguably for this reason – often overlooked, it’s clear that this recipe for disparity has been simmering for generations.

In nearly two-thirds of countries worldwide, women are more likely to experience hunger than men, a stark reality that’s rooted in systemic inequalities permeating the entire food production chain.

Despite women’s crucial role in agriculture, they often face barriers to land ownership and resource access.

In many developing nations, women hold only 10-20 per cent of agricultural land titles, a statistic that speaks volumes about the gender imbalance in food production and distribution.

Extending from farm to table, where cultural norms indicate that women must serve others before themselves (sometimes sacrificing the best bits for male family members), these archaic practices are upholding a ‘standard’ that women’s nutritional needs are secondary to men’s and children’s.

This is being perpetuated by the media, with the food industry still capitalising on labels and creating a dichotomy between ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ foods.

For example, heavy, protein-rich meals like burgers and steaks are targeted towards men, while yoghurt, salads, and diet-friendly products are targeted towards women.