How many vegans are there in the world?
Veganism is not a fad. Even as little as a decade ago, people still thought of plant-based eating as a form of extremism — one of a hundred diet trends that would soon fade out. This was due, not in small part, to the false assumption that human beings could not be healthy and physically strong without consuming animal products.
Since then, research touting the health benefits of veganism and the numerous disadvantages of animal farming has changed the way that the population thinks. In the U.S., the percentage of people that are vegan has grown over 600% in the past three years alone.
While the numbers vary by country, the same upward trend is seen worldwide. This global shift has not gone unnoticed by the big food retailers like Nestle and Walmart who are responding by providing easy access to food that is plant-based.
Is that number growing?
The growing vegan population also had caught the interest of restaurants, many of whom are rushing to offer vegetarian and vegan menu items. Even fast food establishments are joining the plant-based trend. Burger King, Red Robin, White Castle, and The Cheesecake Factory, to name a few, have all added meat substitutes, like the impossible burger, to their fare.
Just as eating establishments are responding to the public’s interest in eating a meat-free diet, the convenience of being able to order vegan options is helping to increase the popularity of the trend. The percentage of vegans, while still relatively low, is increasing at the fastest rate in years.
Care to join us?
Some nutritionists will tell you that it’s better to try to ease into cutting out animal products rather than going “cold turkey” to give your digestive system time to adapt. Others recommend that you jump in and try going vegan for a month. How you do it comes down to personal choice, but the health benefits of eating a vegan diet can be absolutely worth the effort.
Thinking about taking the leap? To be successful, keep in mind that transitioning to this new way of eating can result in vitamin deficiencies, such as B12, which is mostly found in animal products. This can be remedied by adding healthy vegan supplements to your daily regimen to restore the correct balance.
Read more about the 100% organic, plant-sourced ingredients of our vegan supplements on the Vegan Life Nutrition website. With proper planning and mindfulness, you too can join the growing number of vegans around the world.
