Research shows that in Indonesian cities, people are eating more processed foods and ordering takeout more often, but traditional food practices like home gardening and family cooking remain important and are adapting to urban life. According to Gram Research analysis, this coexistence of traditional and modern food systems may offer the best approach to preventing heart disease in rapidly developing countries, blending convenience with culturally-valued traditional foods and cooking methods.
As Indonesian cities grow and change, people’s eating habits are shifting dramatically. According to Gram Research analysis, a new study from Yogyakarta found that while modern convenience foods are becoming more popular, traditional food practices like home gardening and sharing meals are still important to families. The research shows that the healthiest approach might blend the best of both worlds, keeping traditional foods and cooking methods while adapting them to modern city life. This balance could help prevent heart disease and other health problems that are becoming more common as countries develop.
Key Statistics
A qualitative study of urban residents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia found that while processed foods and food delivery services are growing in popularity, traditional food practices including home food production and communal eating remain important and are being adapted to modern city conditions.
Research from three urban Indonesian communities identified an intergenerational shift toward convenience-oriented diets in younger generations, while older family members maintained stronger connections to traditional cooking and food practices, suggesting cultural food knowledge persists despite rapid urbanization.
A 2026 qualitative analysis of Indonesian food systems found that residents perceived declining food quality as they shifted from home-based and traditional food sources toward market-based and cash-based systems, with homegrown foods viewed as fresher and more nutritious than store-bought alternatives.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How people in Indonesian cities are changing what they eat as their neighborhoods modernize, and whether keeping traditional food practices can help prevent heart disease
- Who participated: Residents from three urban neighborhoods in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, who shared their experiences about food shopping, cooking, and eating habits
- Key finding: People are eating more processed foods and eating out more often, but many families still grow their own food and share meals together, and these traditional practices might be key to staying healthy
- What it means for you: If you live in a rapidly developing area, combining modern convenience with traditional home cooking and local foods could help protect your heart health. This approach respects cultural practices while addressing modern health challenges
The Research Details
Researchers in Indonesia conducted in-depth conversations with people living in three different urban communities in Yogyakarta. Instead of just collecting numbers, they listened to residents describe their real experiences with food, how they shop, what they cook, and how their eating habits have changed over time. This qualitative approach helps researchers understand the ‘why’ behind food choices, not just the ‘what.’ The study captured how traditional practices like growing vegetables at home and sharing food with neighbors are adapting to city life, alongside the growth of food delivery apps, supermarkets, and packaged snacks.
This type of research is valuable because it reveals the complex reality of how people actually live and eat. Rather than assuming that modernization simply replaces traditional practices, the researchers discovered that both systems exist together. People might order food delivery one day and cook a traditional family meal the next. Understanding these real-world patterns helps health experts create solutions that actually fit into people’s lives.
Listening to people’s actual experiences is crucial for understanding food choices in developing countries. Numbers alone can’t explain why someone chooses convenience foods or why they keep growing vegetables despite living in a city. This research approach helps identify practical solutions that respect cultural values while addressing health risks. When health recommendations ignore what people actually do and value, they’re less likely to work.
This study provides rich, detailed insights from direct conversations with community members, which is a strength for understanding real-world experiences. However, the research doesn’t include specific numbers about how many people were interviewed or detailed demographic information, which limits how much we can generalize the findings to other Indonesian cities or countries. The findings are most relevant to urban areas in Indonesia experiencing similar rapid development. Readers should view this as important exploratory research that identifies patterns worth investigating further, rather than definitive proof about what works everywhere.
What the Results Show
The study found that people in Yogyakarta are experiencing significant dietary changes. Residents reported eating more ready-made and ultra-processed foods, ordering takeout more frequently, and snacking more often than in the past. Portion sizes have grown, and there’s a clear shift toward convenience-oriented eating, especially among younger generations. At the same time, the research revealed that traditional food practices haven’t disappeared, they’ve adapted. Many families still grow vegetables in small home gardens, share food with neighbors and extended family, and prepare traditional dishes, even while living in urban areas.
The researchers identified what they call a ‘coexistence’ of traditional and modern food systems. This means people aren’t simply abandoning old ways for new ones. Instead, they’re navigating both simultaneously. A family might use a food delivery app for lunch but prepare a traditional home-cooked dinner. They might buy packaged snacks at a convenience store while also tending a small vegetable garden. This pattern suggests that traditional practices are resilient and valued, even as food environments modernize.
The study also noted intergenerational differences. Younger people showed stronger preferences for convenience foods and eating out, while older family members maintained stronger connections to traditional cooking and food practices. This creates interesting dynamics within families, where different generations have different food preferences and habits.
Residents perceived a decline in food quality as they shifted toward market-based and cash-based food systems. People reported that homegrown and traditionally-sourced foods seemed fresher and more nutritious than store-bought alternatives. The research also highlighted the social importance of food sharing and communal eating, which appear to serve both nutritional and social functions in these communities. Additionally, the study found that the growth of digital food delivery services is reshaping when and how people eat, contributing to increased snacking and less structured meal patterns.
This research aligns with broader global patterns called the ’nutrition transition,’ where developing countries experience shifts from traditional diets toward more processed foods and eating out. However, this Indonesian study adds an important nuance: the transition isn’t complete or one-directional. Previous research often portrayed this as a simple replacement of old with new, but this study shows that traditional and modern systems coexist. This finding challenges the assumption that modernization automatically erases traditional practices and suggests that cultural food practices are more persistent and adaptable than previously thought. The emphasis on traditional foods as a prevention strategy for heart disease is increasingly supported by global nutrition research showing that traditional diets tend to be protective against cardiometabolic diseases.
The study doesn’t specify how many people were interviewed or provide detailed demographic breakdowns, making it harder to know how representative the findings are. The research focuses only on Yogyakarta, so findings may not apply to other Indonesian cities or countries with different food systems and cultural contexts. As a qualitative study, it captures experiences and perceptions but doesn’t measure actual health outcomes or provide statistics on how many people follow different eating patterns. The research doesn’t compare health outcomes between people who maintain traditional practices and those who don’t, so we can’t definitively prove that traditional foods prevent heart disease, only that they may offer opportunities for prevention.
The Bottom Line
For people living in rapidly urbanizing areas: Intentionally maintain traditional food practices like home gardening (even small-scale), cooking from scratch, and sharing meals with family and community. When modernizing your diet, choose whole foods over ultra-processed options when possible. For policymakers and health professionals: Design nutrition programs that build on existing traditional practices rather than replacing them, and recognize that people can successfully blend modern convenience with traditional health-promoting foods. Confidence level: Moderate: this is supported by the qualitative evidence and broader nutrition science, but more research measuring actual health outcomes would strengthen these recommendations.
This research is most relevant to people in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization, particularly in Southeast Asia. It’s valuable for health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders designing nutrition programs in these settings. People concerned about heart disease risk in their families should find the emphasis on traditional foods encouraging. However, the findings are less directly applicable to people in already-developed countries with established modern food systems, though the principle of blending traditional and modern approaches may still have merit.
Changes in eating habits and health outcomes typically take months to years to become apparent. If someone begins incorporating more traditional home-cooked foods and reduces processed food intake, they might notice improvements in energy levels and digestion within weeks. Measurable improvements in heart health markers (like blood pressure and cholesterol) usually take 3-6 months of consistent dietary changes. Long-term benefits in preventing heart disease develop over years of sustained healthy eating patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is traditional food better for your heart than modern processed foods?
Research suggests traditional foods are protective for heart health. An Indonesian study found residents perceived homegrown and traditionally-sourced foods as fresher and more nutritious than processed alternatives, and traditional diets are associated with lower rates of heart disease in developing countries.
Can you keep traditional food practices while living in a modern city?
Yes. Research from Yogyakarta shows people successfully maintain traditional practices like home gardening, food sharing, and traditional cooking even in urban areas. These practices adapt to city life rather than disappearing, suggesting cultural food practices are resilient and compatible with modern living.
How does eating out and food delivery affect your diet when you’re busy?
Studies show increased food delivery use correlates with more snacking, larger portions, and more processed foods. However, intentionally balancing convenience meals with home-cooked traditional foods can help. The research suggests people don’t have to choose one or the other, blending both approaches works.
Why do younger people eat differently than their parents in developing countries?
Research from Indonesia found younger generations prefer convenience foods and eating out more than older family members. This reflects exposure to modern food systems and busy urban lifestyles, but the study shows traditional food knowledge and practices can still be passed down and valued across generations.
What’s the best way to prevent heart disease in a rapidly developing city?
Research suggests combining traditional food practices with modern living. Maintain home cooking, grow vegetables if possible, eat whole foods, and share meals with family. This approach respects cultural values while addressing modern health risks from processed foods and convenience eating.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily meals by categorizing them as ’traditional home-cooked,’ ‘modern convenience,’ or ‘mixed.’ Set a goal to increase the percentage of traditional home-cooked meals week by week, aiming for at least 50% of meals prepared at home using whole ingredients
- Use the app to plan one traditional family meal per week, create a shopping list for whole ingredients, and log when you cook from scratch versus ordering delivery. Set reminders for meal prep times and track which traditional recipes your family enjoys most
- Monitor the ratio of home-cooked to convenience meals monthly, track ingredients used (whole foods vs. processed), and note any changes in how you feel. Over 3-6 months, observe patterns in energy levels, digestion, and overall wellbeing as you increase traditional food practices
This research provides qualitative insights into food practices and dietary patterns in Indonesian urban communities. It does not establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships between specific foods and health outcomes. The findings are most applicable to rapidly urbanizing areas in Southeast Asia and may not generalize to other regions. Individuals with existing heart conditions, dietary restrictions, or health concerns should consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes. This article summarizes research findings and should not be considered medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
