The Growing Popularity of Plant-Based Eating
Consuming a diet predominately based on plants has been around for centuries, but it was only in the 1940s that people began to adopt the term “vegan” to describe a diet free of all animal products. The movement has steadily grown over the years and is now a worldwide phenomenon. From Australia to Europe, veganism is on the rise – with some countries leading the way in terms of adoption. Let’s take a closer look at why veganism is growing and what the future holds for plant-based diets.
The Origins of Veganism
Veganism began in 1944 when Donald Watson coined the term “vegan” to describe vegetarians who abstained from consuming animal products, such as dairy and eggs. This new way of living quickly spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to North America in the 1970s. Since then, veganism has grown exponentially; according to recent data from Statista, the value of the world wide vegan food market was in 2021 $15.77 Billion (US) and is expected to grow to $22.27 Billion (US) in 2025.
Australia Leads the Pack
When it comes to veganism, Australia leads the pack in terms of adoption. According to research conducted by Roy Morgan, 2.5 million Australians now have diets of which the food is all, or almost all, vegetarian or vegan. – that’s an amazing 12.1% of adults in Australia! In the last decade people following a plant-based diet has increased by about 50%. The eastern states hold the highest number of vegans. This rapid increase can be attributed to a number of factors including increasing awareness about animal welfare, environmental concerns and health benefits associated with plant-based eating.
The Quality of Plant-Based Food Has Improved Dramatically
One reason why plant-based diets have become so popular is because of how tasty and convenient they have become! Gone are the days when vegans had to source expensive ingredients from specialty stores or eat bland meals consisting mostly vegetables and boring salads; now there are countless restaurants, coffee shops and lunch rooms offering delicious vegan alternatives that are often as satisfying or even better as their non-vegan counterparts. Additionally, supermarket chains have seen the light and now offer an wide variety of vegan products such as plant-based milks, cheeses and burgers that make going vegan easier than ever before. And what to think of all these amazing fully plant-based meal-kit services that are going around nowadays. They come up with amazing easy to cook and tasty meals. It’s no wonder then that more and more people are choosing to go meat-free or having some meat free days a week!
The Future is Bright for Plant-Based Eating
As more people switch over to a plant-based diet, food companies have begun developing new products designed specifically for vegans and vegetarians alike. These products range from imitation meats crafted from plant proteins such as beans and mushrooms to dairy-free yogurts made with coconut milk or cashew cream cheese made with almonds and other nuts. The quality and variety of these products have only improved over time; today, vegans have access to delicious alternatives that come very close to their favourite foods without compromising on taste or nutrition.
Conclusion
It’s clear that veganism is here to stay; more people than ever before are embracing this lifestyle around the world, especially in countries like Australia where its popularity has skyrocketed over the last decade. As food companies continue innovating plant-based alternatives that taste just as good as their animal product counterparts, veganism will become even more mainstream in years to come—and that’s something everyone can get excited about!
It is so fantastic to see that awareness is growing around our food intake, people start to see that we cannot continue the way we are doing food right now. Animal agriculture is not sustainable! It is damaging our planet and all who live on it dramatically. Deep inside we all know it, let’s not close our eyes to the facts and start your plant-based journey today! Encourage each other on this journey.
Good luck.
With love,
Jimmy