A plant-based or plant-forward eating pattern is a diet that focuses on foods consisting mostly or entirely of plant-based foods. Plant-based foods mainly consist of fruits and vegetables, but they also include seeds, nuts, oils, legumes, whole grains, and beans. Most of this plant-based food don’t have artificial ingredients and are not animal-source foods.
Plant-based Diets
A plant-based diet avoids or has limited animal products in it. But choosing to follow a plant-based diet does not make someone a vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarians and vegans never eat meat or dairy, but those who prefer a plant-based diet like to eat more food from plant sources. The term plant-based diet encompasses a wide range of dietary patterns. The dietary patterns followed contain lower amounts of animal products and higher amounts of plant products such as fruits and vegetables.
Over the years, things have changed, and the phrase plant-based more diet has been used to refer to vegans, vegetarian diets, Mediterranean diets, and semi-vegetarian diets. People who choose these diets live primarily on a plant-based diet, some by choice and some because of limits caused by shortages of freshwater, crops, and energy resources. Because of this, numerous people across the globe have chosen to say people who choose these diets are on a plant-based diet.
In the United States, more of those who don’t identify as vegan or vegetarian have started showing more interest in plant-based foods. Research conducted last year showed that vegans and vegetarians represent only a small percentage of the US population, but more than half of the American population buy plant-based foods. This report seeks to reveal why most people are convinced to try plant-based products. Additionally, the report looks at a few obstacles that turn potential buyers away.
What Consumers enjoy about Plant-based food
One might argue that most people go for plant-based foods because they just have adventurous taste buds. But most consumers choose plant-based foods for more meaningful reasons. Such reasons may include supporting animal welfare or seeking to improve their health.
Most plant-based consumers have shown concern about the treatment of animals in the food supply chain. Their concerns have led to most of them seeking more information from companies and limiting the amount of meat they eat. Some consumers also show concern about whether animal products support a sustainable future. This has led to many consumers replacing some animal products in their diet with plant-based alternatives. For them choosing plant-based products makes them feel helpful. Most of them believe they’re playing their part in reducing animal agriculture’s impact on the environment.
Consumers have also opted to go for plant-based products, as they want to make more health-conscious food choices. Many people perceive plant-based foods as healthier alternatives to animal products. Due to this, the health-related benefits linked to these foods continue to be a significant influencer of plant-based choices and purchases.
Some people also like plant-based foods as they offer convenience. Nearly all fresh foods have a short shelf life and take more time and effort to prepare. But plant-based foods make it easier for consumers to include more fruits and vegetables in their diets without any challenges. Plant-based foods also cook faster than meat-based foods, and this speeds up prep time for consumers.
Why some Consumers dislike Plant-based foods
But despite the benefits of plant-based foods, not everyone is sold on plant-based products. Some state that the taste is perhaps the greatest reason they can’t accept plant-based alternatives. Most of these individuals want plant-based foods that taste better and stick to eating meat.
Additionally, most consumers have opted not to buy plant-based foods because of their price and value. Value is an important influencer of consumer’s shopping behavior. Value is the main reason shoppers decide to switch brands and change where they shop. As long as the prices of plant-based alternatives continue to be higher than meat-based foods, then it’s likely that fewer people will continue to make the switch.
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