The trend toward a more plant-based lifestyle will accelerate in 2023, as more and more people opt to add more plant-based choices to their diets.
Some people are opting to give a fully vegan lifestyle and diet a try, but most are moving towards what they term a flexitarian diet, which means they are making conscious decisions to consume fewer animal products. Recent surveys have found as many as half of the young people questioned on this topic have shown an interest in moving towards a flexitarian lifestyle.
These changes will continue to drive growth in the expanding dairy-free plant-based milk category as well as with plant-based meat substitutes. Also, more and more restaurants are expanding their menus to include vegan/vegetarian options with some creating entire secondary menus for these items.
Major fast-food chains are quickly jumping on board with more and more vegan/plant-based menu options. Big players like Burger King are taking the lead in this space and opening 100% plant-based locations in a number of select cities around the world. Mcdonald’s launched their vegan McPlant in many countries and locations as well. Other well-known major fast-food chains to add vegan options in recent times are KFC, Taco Bell, and Panda Express among others.
There is no doubt that as climate change and sustainability continue to grow in importance for consumers that they will demand more options and continue to modify their diets to better reflect their values. Going 100% vegan might not be something that a lot of people can do immediately but the flexitarian approach is becoming a much more practical and popular way of getting started and making a positive change in your eating habits.