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Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of vegetarians expect to go hungry at meat-dominated Aussie barbecues this summer, according to new research released today to mark World Vegetarian Day on October 1.
According to the survey commissioned by vegetarian food brand, Fry’s Vegetarian, over half of vegetarians (57 percent) believe they are poorly catered for at the traditional Aussie barbecues with a further 54 percent bringing their own food with them every time or most of the time.
But the research also showed that the traditionally meat-minded population of Australia is becoming more accepting of a vegetarian diet, with almost two thirds (63 percent) of meat eaters willing to go vegetarian for one day of the week.
It would seem that this choice is based on ethical and environmental factors. 86 percent believe vegetarian meals are kinder on nature, while a further 75 percent believe they are more environmentally friendly. 45 percent would go meat free for a day as they feel it’s better for their health and wellbeing.
Wally Fry, world-renowned speaker on the benefits of a vegetarian diet and Founder of Fry’s Vegetarian, comments: “Australian attitudes towards a vegetarian diet are shifting, and the majority of the Australian population is well aware of the many advantages. It requires 500 times as much land to produce one kilogram of beef as it does to produce one kilogram of vegetables, making the environmental benefits of going meat free, if only for a day, very clear”.
Australia is eating less meat than it was five years ago.
Almost a third (32 percent) of Australians believe they are eating less meat than they were five years ago, compared to just over one in ten (11 percent) who feel they are now eating more meat. 45 percent of Australians have eaten at least one vegetarian evening meal in the last seven days.
Mark Berriman, Director of The Australian Vegetarian Society adds: “Meat production impacts so heavily on our health, our environment, food security and the welfare of animals that reducing meat consumption is probably the single most important thing Australians can do for the future of our planet. Fortunately, these days eating vegetarian is much easier. There are so many options now available, that it is increasingly popular as a dietary choice by Australians who sincerely care about what is happening in our world today.”