Despite the rapid rise of veganism, people still have some shocking and infuriating misconceptions about life on a plant-based diet.
A survey of 2,000 British adults by vegan cheese brand Violife revealed giant holes in people’s knowledge, and some unpleasant stereotypes about vegans.
Stereotypes
One-tenth of people surveyed think vegans are ‘permanently in a mood’, and one fifth thinks they are always hungry.
The survey also found people would rather give up alcohol for a month that goes vegan.
Many respondents said they think vegans can’t eat in many restaurants as nowhere caters for them, and that vegans have to waste hours preparing food each day.
Food confusion
Amazingly, almost a third (30 percent) of people didn’t even know what goes into a vegan diet and even more (31 per cent) thought vegans can’t eat lettuce.
Misconceptions about food included 22 percent believing vegans can eat honey, 16 percent not knowing if sugar-free chocolate is suitable for vegans and a tenth of people thinking jelly is vegan-friendly.
There was some encouragement, as one-fifth of respondents said they would like to give veganism a go – but they admitted being discouraged as they think the diet is ‘boring’.
‘Interesting and enjoyable’
Simon Orchard, UK country manager Violife, said: “Despite veganism’s rise in popularity, many Brits believe there aren’t enough vegan alternatives to keep a plant-based lifestyle interesting and enjoyable.”
Meat was the biggest worry for non-vegans, with 34 percent saying they would struggle to live without consuming animal flesh.
Next was cheese, with one in five saying they would miss it the most, followed by a tenth who said they couldn’t give up chocolate.
And half of respondents think it’s hard to find a decent dairy-free cheese.
From the 2,000 people surveyed, the most tempting dishes for vegans were a ploughman’s lunch, pasta bake and cheese on toast.
Reflection
As far as veganism has come in recent years, there are clearly still a lot of misconceptions out there.
Not only is there a lack of knowledge about a plant based diet, but people are also attaching some scathing personality traits to vegans.
A look through the top ten misconceptions of what people think of vegans is not pretty reading:
- Always hungry
- Are permanently in a mood
- Waste hours preparing food
- Can’t eat in many restaurants
- Can’t eat lettuce
- Can eat jelly
- Can eat honey
- Can’t eat sugar-free chocolate
- The food is boring
- Don’t know what they eat
What do you think of the research? Tell us in the comments below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
UK’s first fully vegan school kitchen is a huge hit among pupils
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 23rd May 2022
The Lady of Sion School in Worthing opened what is believed to be UK’s first 100% Plant-Based Canteen serving black bean and quinoa meatballs in barbecue sauce, veggie fajitas with Mexican rice and meatless feast pizza. A school in West Sussex has received an overwhelming positive response after it adopted an all-vegan menu. In January, …
Continue reading “UK’s first fully vegan school kitchen is a huge hit among pupils”
75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th May 2022
A number of companies already offer a variety of plant-based leathers using everything from apples and cactus to pineapple leaves. A new poll has revealed that a majority of UK motorists are keen on buying fully vegan cars. In a research commissioned by the Vegan Society, people were asked about their opinions on vegan cars …
Continue reading “75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …