Descriptions of adult equivalent scale models typically do not explain why or provide the explicit rationale underlying their selected age classes and life cycle components. A model is presented where the life cycle is comprised of a sequence of developmental and transitional phases. A comparison of adult scale parameter estimates for total food expenditure from this model is made with estimates from the Blokland and Buse‐Salathe models. The findings suggest that the Blokland model is too restrictive to portray consumer behavior over the life cycle. Empirical results based on the proposed model are similar to those based on the Buse‐Salathe model.