Over 25% of Canadians are considering changing to a plant-based diet: study

Aug 16 2019, 5:05 pm

Over one thousand Canadian adults were surveyed in a recent Insights West study and it found that according to many Canadians, plant-based diets may be the way to go in the future.

Although only 7% are practicing vegetarians and vegans, 27% of Canadians are considering changing to a plant-based diet.

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Those who chose not to make the transition into being full vegetarians or vegans are considering a shift towards a pescatarian lifestyle which consists of fish and/or seafood —13% of Canadians thinking about doing so in the future.

Only 3% are currently on a pescatarian diet.

Many people are also considering cutting out dairy with 26% thinking about doing so in the future, while 11% already do it.

 

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Trendy diets

The study also showed that many Canadians have ditched the Keto diet – low-carbs and high-fat – and the Paleo diet, no dairy and no gluten, in favour of intermittent fasting.

Only 11% have tried Keto, 4% tried Paleo, and 28% are considering trying out intermittent fasting which is when you alternate between periods of fasting and eating.

At the same time, not everyone has followed a food trend. More than half of the participants in the survey have never followed one at 52%, and 67% are currently not following one.

In general, BC residents are more likely to reduce the amount of meat that they consume. The study found that 25% of BC residents have tried a vegetarian diet at some point, which is higher than the national average of 18%.

Younger generations leading the pack

More and more young Canadians are leaning towards a plant-based diet, according to Steve Mossop, President of Insights West.

A significant percentage of 18 to 34-year-olds are thinking about going vegetarian and vegan with 38% considering the vegetarian route and 17% the vegan route.

The same age group has also thought about going dairy-free in the future at 36%.

 

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