Nearly a third of all British meals are now vegetarian

February 8, 2018

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Nearly a third of all British meals are now vegetarian — (Picture: Dave Anderson for Metro.co.uk)

We might all have been reared on a diet of ‘meat and two veg’, but times are a-changing.

Because apparently, almost a third of the meals we consume in Britain are now meat and fish-free.

According to findings by Kantar Worldpanel, 29% of all dinners eaten across the UK during January were vegetarian or vegan.

Now, obviously, that takes into account the fact that more folk are trying to eat ‘cleaner’ after a heavy festive period – as well as trying out Veganuary.

But even so, the fact that Veganuary saw an increase of 200% from 2017 to 2018 is massive – and that’s only taking into account the people who signed up on the website. The real number is probably far higher.

Researchers say that increased accessibility of vegan products might be encouraging more people to try plant-based grub. And when you’ve got vegan meal deal options on the high street, dairy-free Ben & Jerry’s, and frozen pizzas popping up at every verse end, it’s hardly surprising.

It’s super easy to cut down on meat consumption, even if you don’t want to go veggie.

According to Veganuary, the green revolution may also be partly influenced by Netflix documentaries like What The Health, Okja and Cowspiracy. As people have increased access to research and films on what animal proteins may or may not do to the body, and the animal welfare concerns behind their production, it’s hardly surprising that dietary habits are changing.

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Of course, most of those films need to be taken with a hefty pinch of salt, but they’re an interesting watch, nonetheless.

Today, more than half a million people in the UK are vegan, with as many as one in three people trying to make a concerted effort to cut down on meat.

The plant-based revolution is live.

 
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