Browsing by Subject "maidon kulutus"

Milk is a significant part of Finnish food culture and milk has received media publicity in the 2010s. The discussion has mainly focused on milk fat, but recently the talk has turned to the health effects and environmental impacts of milk. Total milk consumption has been declining for decades and consumption decreased by nearly 30 litres per person between 2012 and 2016. At the same time, plant-based drinks have entered the market to replace dairy products. Objectives. The study examines the factors that consumers use to justify reducing milk consumption in their diet. The study identifies the diets the consumers follow. The analysis focuses on how milk is perceived and how the preferences affect daily consumption of milk. Additionally, interviewees’ attitudes towards plant-based drinks are studied. Little research has been done about the reasons that lead to reducing milk consumption and especially Finnish research is needed. The theoretical framework of the study is based on research into milk and milk alternatives and on the paradigm of health and environmental factors of food. Methods. The research method was qualitative. The data were collected by interviewing 14 people living in Helsinki metropolitan area and in Joensuu region. The interviews were done by using a semi-structured interview. The questions were divided into three themes, which were diet, milk and plant-based drinks. The data was subsequently analysed by using inductive content analysis. Thematising was also used in the data analysis. Results and conclusions. The study shows that the main factor for reducing milk consumptions was that milk was not considered to be nutritionally important for adults. Additionally, ethical reasons, such as the welfare of animals, and diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance, have reduced milk consumption. Milk was considered to play a significant role in Finnish food culture and in the official nutrition guide, which were also criticized. Plant-based drinks were mostly seen as a positive thing, but the reactions varied depending on the ingredients, i.e. the plant, of the drink. Oat was seen as familiar and locally produced, whereas soy and rice were seen far produced and therefore unethical.