Poland: Increasing popularity and awareness of vegetarianism
Only 3% of Polish people find it difficult to define what vegetarianism is. At the same time meatless diet becomes more and more popular. Presently, 2% of adult Poles declare giving up meat, and another 37% try to limit their consumption, mostly due to health reason. The trend of reducing meat is also visible in eating out, with varied offer for vegetarians in the menus. When cooking at home, vegetarian diet is assessed as more demanding and difficult than the regular one, but the offer of ready-to-made meals and pre-prepared ingredients could be a solution.
On the occasion of the World Vegetarian Day on October 1, the ABR SESTA Research Institute together with SYNO Polska, Fitness Catering, Cateromarket and the Association of Entrepreneurs of the Dietary Catering Industry decided to check the current popularity of the diet excluding meat.
Today, only 3% of Poland's inhabitants find it difficult to define what vegetarianism is. The others have their own definition, although - interestingly - in most cases it is not entirely correct. 55% of respondents equate vegetarianism with the possibility of eating fish and seafood, which is contrary to the rules established by the International Vegetarian Federation (IVU). This term is correctly developed by 16% of people, especially the youngest age group, residents of the largest cities or students. 26% confuse vegetarianism with its other varieties, such as veganism or fruitarianism.
Regardless of the knowledge of the definition of vegetarianism in our country, the popularity of giving up meat is clearly visible. It manifests itself, for example, in the assortment of grocery stores. Vegetarians will find not only soy chops on the shelves, but even millet sausages, vegetable lard, pea burgers, onion kabanos sausages or garlic pate. No wonder, because today 2% of adult Poles declare giving up meat, and another 37% try to limit their consumption. This trend increases with the age of the respondents. Vegetarianism is perceived as fashionable by 4 out of 10 Poles.
- Vegetarianism is not only a way of eating, but above all a lifestyle in which we can find global consumer trends. What is often emphasized when defining vegetarianism is the deliberate and deliberate exclusion of meat, fish and seafood, but also products such as lard, gelatin from the diet - adds Prof. Anna Dąbrowska, Head of the Department of Consumer Behavior Research at the Warsaw School of Economics.
In the past, vegetarians could be associated with activists fighting for animal rights. Are ethical considerations the most common reason for restricting meat consumption? It turns out that 57% do it for health reasons, such as reducing unhealthy fats, reducing the risk of disease, or on the recommendation of a doctor. Another reason is simply bad meat quality, indicated by 40%. This problem particularly affects the inhabitants of the largest cities. It is also pointed out by households with underage children. Only later in the ABR SESTA study are ecological (32%) and ethical (30%) considerations.
- On health-related portals it is emphasized that vegetarianism allows you to avoid overweight and obesity, lower cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure. Research shows that people who do not eat meat are less likely to experience heart attacks, diabetes, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. It is important to balance the products, hence it is so important to consciously proceed in shaping the daily diet. - emphasizes prof. Dąbrowska.
The trend of reducing meat is also visible in eating outside the home. Today, every renowned restaurant has items for vegetarians on its menu. In larger cities, there are even establishments offering only vegetarian dishes. 6 out of 10 respondents see the possibility of ordering or eating meatless dishes in the vicinity of their place of residence. Young people are most often aware of this possibility, as many as 80% of respondents aged 18-24 know that they can eat something vege "out in the city".
Does this multitude of places mean that vegetarian dishes are difficult to prepare? 4 out of 10 Poles (38%) do not agree with this statement. There is often a discussion on internet forums as to whether, while on a vegetarian diet, one should take into account the risk of nutritional deficiencies. This is the opinion of 44% of respondents, most often those who do not try to limit meat themselves.
- One of the alternative solutions is dietary catering currently offered by over 500 companies operating on a local or national scale. Most of them offer a vegetarian diet, most often including a diet with or without fish, as well as a vegan diet. - informs Marek Lekki, President of the Association of Entrepreneurs of the Dietary Catering Industry.
Is vegetarianism determined by gender? 2/3 of men and every second woman declare regular consumption of meat in Poland. Women also more often declare their interest in healthy eating (59%) and eating organic and natural products (58%). From the results of the survey it can be concluded that men less often prepare dinners at home, because it is women who more often indicate poor quality meat in stores (46%). Preparation of vegetarian dishes is considered easy by only one in three men.
- Women are more often responsible for introducing healthy, less meat-based meals into their households, but the fact that almost 1/3 of men declare a reduction in meat consumption shows that it is a very growing nutritional trend. - notes Maciej Gliński, Sales Director of Fitness Catering.
Source: horecatrends.pl