Vegetarian Diet Preferred by Americans

Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10 Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10 Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10 Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10 Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10 Go Figure! Vegetarianism In Āmerica A number of Americans have adopted meat-free vegetarian diets due to the health benefits or because of ethical concerns. Credit: Dreamstime.com 7.3 million people follow a vegetarian-based diet 1 million people are vegans who con- sume no animal products at all (such as milk, eggs or honey) 22.8 million people follow a a mostly vegetarian diet 3.2%* 0.5%* 10%* * Of all U.S. adults Reasons for vegetarianism Gender • 53% of current vegetarians eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health 59% ----- Female 41% Male • 54% Animal welfare • 47% Environmental concerns • 39% Natural approaches to wellness • 31% Food-safety concerns • 25% Weight loss • 24% Weight maintenance Age 42% ------ Following a vegetarian diet 40.7% 35 to 54 years old 18 to 34 years old 57.1% have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years 18% 5 to 10 years 10.8% 2 to 5 years 14.1% less than 2 years 17.4% Over 55 years old Note: All figures are for 2008 SOURCE: VEGETARIANTIMES.OOM R. TORO / © LiveScience.com 10