39% Of Americans ‘Actively Trying To Eat More Plant-Based Foods’

More than a third of Americans (39 percent) are actively trying to eat more plant-based foods, motivated by ethics, health, and the environments.

A report by Food Navigator USA quoted this stat – from a 2017 survey by Nielsen – in an article about the burgeoning plant-based sector.

According to new data by Nielson, animal-free options now account for almost 20 percent of food and beverage dollars spent in the US last year.

Growth

And interest in the market is set to grow, according to the report, which says there is a ‘notable opportunity for brands and retailers looking for ways to capitalize on specific needs and desires among consumers opting for plant-based food and beverage options, particularly in cases where no or few options currently exist’.

It adds that consumers are looking for innovative plant food options, saying: “Many shoppers aren’t looking to traditional plant-based staples like tofu, brown rice and granola.” It lists dairy and meat alternatives as key products, highlighting the potential for plant-based burgers.

“As the popularity of plant-based foods continues to rise,” says Nielsen, “the importance of meat alternatives in the burger space is expected to rise with it.”