Results from a survey conducted by Gallup found a curious fact in regards to plant-based foods, vegans, and vegetarians. The number of Americans that are vegan has hit a ten-year low.
Both the number of vegans and vegetarians dropped in number from 2018 when vegans comprised about 3% of Americans, but the survey’s results found that the number has now backpedaled to…1%.
So why is the number of vegans and vegetarians declining when we now have more meat-alternatives than ever before?
A common theory is that plant-based meat, and diets that follow being vegan and vegetarian are too costly to keep up. However, the survey concluded that lower-income Americans were more likely to be both vegetarian and vegan than upper-income Americans.
A conundrum indeed.
The Gallup survey was conducted with 1,015 Americans last month.
Gallup noted that plant-based meats/alternatives are “more commonplace in grocery stores and restaurants.” And that about 4 in 10 Americans have tried these alternatives.
Interesting Gallup Survey Takeaways
- 6% of women are more likely to be vegetarian than men
- Lower-income Americans were twice as likely to be vegetarian compared to upper-income
- More people in the 55+ age group (2%) compared to a younger age group ( 18-34) at 1%
- Liberals are three times as likely to identify as vegetarian than conservatives
Another interesting anecdote is that The Good Food Institute found that over 90% of Americans that buy meat alternatives…aren’t even vegetarian or vegan.
In regards to fast food chains, these fast-casual establishments have been trying to find an “in” on successful plant-based items to add to the menu…which will produce sales.
McDonald’s tried with the McPlant but suffered abysmal sales, and it was discontinued last summer. At this time it’s only available outside of the country at select locations.
Taco Bell has also thrown their hat into the plant-based ring after taking 2 years to perfect the recipe in the fall of 2022. The chain collaborated with Beyond Meat to test the Beyond Carne Asada Steak.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have taken off.
So what’s the deal with plant-based meat? Do we want it or not? Maybe we don’t even know…
