Three in five Americans would try a plant-based diet if the options were tastier, new research suggests.<br /><br />In a new poll of 2,000 Americans, nearly a fifth (17%) of respondents who have tried a plant-based diet but were not able to continue it pointed to lack of flavor or taste (28%) and not enough options (23%) as the reason. <br /><br />On average, people’s stint with vegetarian or veganism lasted only about three months. <br /><br />Of those who have tried a plant-based diet, just 21% said it met their expectations.<br /><br />Social pressures also played a part in abandoning the diet or avoiding it altogether.<br /><br />Thirteen percent ditched the diet because family members did not follow it.<br /><br />The survey, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Violife, found that although just a quarter of those polled are curious about plant-based diets, nearly half (49%) are interested in incorporating more plant-based options into their diets. <br /><br />Almost three-quarters (74%) would prefer to pick and choose their plant-based options rather than committing to a plant-based diet full time. In fact, 70% said moving to a completely plant-based diet would be too drastic of a change.<br /><br />Sixty-three percent of respondents said they eat whatever they want despite how it affects their health. In fact, 69% of millennials often cave into their cravings, ignoring health concerns to satisfy their taste buds. Half of all respondents chose pizza as the unhealthy food they enjoy eating the most.<br /><br />On the flip side, 59% of those polled said their motivation for eating a plant-based or vegetarian diet was for health reasons. Respondents said the healthy foods they enjoy most are chicken (60%), bananas (59%), broccoli (58%) and apples (56%). <br /><br />One in five respondents reported they’ve tried a plant-based cheese and it met their expectations. <br /><br />Twenty-one percent of respondents were also most likely to try a plant-based cheese if it was a free sample at a grocery store or event.<br /><br />“So many people are curious to try plant-based foods but hold out because of the perception that these foods don’t live up the taste, flavor, and texture of their traditional counterparts,” said Erica Cheung a spokesperson for Violife. "The good news is that there’s been a lot of innovation in the world of plant-based foods so that its easier than ever to satisfy the taste and texture cravings that people want – especially with indulgent and beloved foods like cheese.” <br /><br />TOP MOTIVATORS FOR TRYING A PLANT-BASED DIET<br />Better for health - 59%<br />Sustainability or environment - 37%<br />Animal welfare - 33%<br />Curious about the trend - 22%<br />Intolerance or allergy - 18%<br /><br />ENDS
