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We Can’t Keep Meating Like This: Attitudes towards Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in the United Kingdom

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  • Christopher J. Bryant

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK)

Abstract

Animal agriculture is implicated as a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions, animal suffering and public health problems. This survey asked 1000 UK meat-eaters about their beliefs about vegetarian and vegan diets, and their intended consumption of meat and animal products one month in the future. One in six intended to reduce their meat consumption in the next month, and 14% intended to reduce their consumption of animal products. The majority agreed that vegetarian and vegan diets are ethical, good for the environment and healthy. The majority also agreed that both vegetarianism and veganism were socially acceptable. However, there were three consistent negative beliefs about vegetarian and vegan diets: that they are difficult, that they are not enjoyable and that they are expensive. Moreover, perceptions of vegan diets were significantly more negative than perceptions of vegetarian diets on most aspects. Significant differences in perceptions of each diet were observed between genders and by age. It is argued that most meat-eaters agree with the ethical and environmental arguments in favour of vegetarianism/veganism but do not follow these diets because of practical reasons relating to taste, price and convenience. New alternatives to animal products are discussed as a possible way to address these practical barriers. Finally, the case is made for more research on developing high-quality, low-cost and widely available animal product alternatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher J. Bryant, 2019. "We Can’t Keep Meating Like This: Attitudes towards Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in the United Kingdom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:23:p:6844-:d:293106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D'Souza, Clare & Brouwer, Anne Renée & Singaraju, Stephen, 2022. "Veganism: Theory of planned behaviour, ethical concerns and the moderating role of catalytic experiences," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    2. David Kilian & Ulrich Hamm, 2021. "Perceptions of Vegan Food among Organic Food Consumers Following Different Diets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Lee, Hwangwon & McCarty, Tanner & Thayer, Anastasia & Larsen, Ryan, 2023. "Milner Ranch: Is the Grass Greener in Processing?," Applied Economics Teaching Resources (AETR), Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 5(1), January.
    4. Steffen Jahn & Pia Furchheim & Anna-Maria Strässner, 2021. "Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Motivational Adoption Barriers and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Claudia Valli & Małgorzata Maraj & Anna Prokop-Dorner & Chrysoula Kaloteraki & Corinna Steiner & Montserrat Rabassa & Ivan Solà & Joanna Zajac & Bradley C. Johnston & Gordon H. Guyatt & Malgorzata M. , 2022. "People’s Values and Preferences about Meat Consumption in View of the Potential Environmental Impacts of Meat: A Mixed-methods Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-25, December.
    6. Isabel Miguel & Arnaldo Coelho & Cristela Maia Bairrada, 2020. "Modelling Attitude towards Consumption of Vegan Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Jana Friedrichsen & Manja Gärtner, 2020. "Why Are We Eating so Much Meat?," DIW Roundup: Politik im Fokus 137, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    8. Andrej Kirbiš & Monika Lamot & Marija Javornik, 2021. "The Role of Education in Sustainable Dietary Patterns in Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, November.

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