“Going vegan is better for your health, your wallet, and the earth.”

An average American believes the entire country will be eating meat-free diets by 2039, according to a new poll.

The data comes after Vegan Strong– a sports & fitness brand – surveyed 2,000 adults via OnePoll.

It found that one in three Americans think the US will go meatless in the next 18 years.

Despite the strong sentiment about a plant-based future, 52% said switching to a plant-based diet isn’t a “realistic possibility” for them at the moment.

Additionally, 22% said plant-based diets are too expensive while 16% complained about the lack of suitable vegan options at their local stores.

 Moreover, while 19% said it would be ‘too time-consuming to learn the ins and outs’ of the new diet, 55% had doubts about whether could ‘survive on a vegan diet’.

‘Going vegan is better for your health’

“Most people don’t realize that plants have all the protein you need,” a Vegan Strong spokesperson said in a statement.

“Yet many elite athletes are converting to a plant-based diet because they are seeing their performance and strength improve dramatically.”

He added: “Plant-based eating can be incredibly affordable if you focus on eating fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, nuts, and seeds.

“Going vegan is better for your health, your wallet, and the earth.”

COVID led diet changes

The extended time spent at home during COVID has indeed caused many to revisit their eating habits.

Vegan Strong’s survey also found one in five attempting to cook a gluten-free dish, while 31% tried out a vegan recipe for the first time during the lockdown.

This ties into polling carried out by One Poll on behalf of Herbalife Nutrition last October, which showed that 43% of Americans tried to eat less meat throughout the pandemic.

Herbalife Nutrition’s poll also revealed that 54 % had started eating more fruits and vegetables while 47% ate more plant-based food.

‘New healthy habits’

“There is never a bad time to make a positive change in your lifestyle. Especially when those changes lead to lasting healthy results,” Dr. Kent Bradley, chief health and nutrition officer at Herbalife Nutrition said.

“During this pandemic, it appears more individuals are choosing quality nutrient-dense sources like those found in a plant-based diet.

“I commend all those who are empowering themselves in the midst of this pandemic and have found a way to create new healthy habits.”

• Read: 1 in 3 Brits feel vegan diet is a solution to tackle climate crisis, the Vegan Society reveals

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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