– By Jack Peat
Brits are struggling to make the switch to a vegan diet because they are not getting the backing of their friends and family, research has revealed.
Almost half of Brits have attempted a more vegan diet for health benefits but most struggle to last more than THREE months.
Three quarters said they would have lasted much longer if they had more support from their friends and family.
More than one in ten young people surveyed turned to a vegan diet having watched Netflix documentaries, with as many as 56 per cent of Brits between the ages of 16 and 29 saying they have been inspired by celebrity vegans like Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Pink and Ellie Goulding.
Documentaries such as Cowspiracy were also cited as an inspiration, with a quarter of respondents saying social media influencers were also a big factor behind considering the switch.
The poll of 2,000 adults by Kellogg’s, which has just launched a new vegan cereal range W.K. Kellogg, found that sticking to a plant based lifestyle can be short lived however with people lasting on average just three and a half months.
Over 45’s had the best willpower, eating a diet free from animal ingredients for nearly five months on average.
Speaking about her vegan lifestyle, Lucy Watson, author of ‘Feed me Vegan’ said: “I made the decision to move from vegetarianism to veganism three years ago.
“Moving to a plant-based diet has had a really positive impact on my health, I feel so much more energised.
“For me, starting my day with a good breakfast is really important, but it can be quite tricky particularly if you have a busy life and vegan friendly options are not always easily available.
“The W. K. Kellogg range really supports those trying to make vegan choices – I now have a go-to cereal for the mornings.”
Of those that have attempted a more plant-based or vegan focused lifestyle, a huge 88 per cent acknowledged that it actually takes real dedication to be a full time vegan.
In fact, younger people felt eating a more vegan focused diet was having an impact on their social lives with one in ten under 30s saying they had to turn down social events.
Those surveyed also said it was impossible when eating out in restaurants and that the new lifestyle was too expensive to become a long-term change.
Being a ‘part time’ vegan proved popular, with a third of people eating plant based one day a week.
Fourteen per cent of Brits also said they had attempted “Veganuary” and half continue to start each New Year plant-fuelled.
Many of the wannabe vegans experienced slip-ups trying the diet with 19 per cent innocently enjoying a beer whilst they were trying to be vegan and 21 per cent eating chocolate, which isn’t always vegan friendly.
White sugar, jelly sweets and yogurt were other common foods that people wrongly assumed were safe to eat on a plant-based diet.
Laura Street, Kellogg’s senior nutritionist said: “Many people are turning to more plant-based diets to support a new lifestyle but it can be difficult to stick to.
“Our research shows that a quarter of new vegans find it hard to know what to eat.
“That’s why, as part of our Better Starts Plan to help families make healthier choices, we have developed a new range of vegan cereals WK Kellogg.”
For more information about Kellogg’s Better Starts plan or the new range of vegan cereals WK Kellogg visit www.KelloggsBetterStarts.co.uk
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