Plant-Based Diets: Perceptions Impacting Health

The perception of a plant-based diet can be influenced by a variety of factors, including health, taste, convenience, and cost.

Some people perceive plant-based diets as beneficial to their health, particularly in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Plant-based diets are often associated with a lower intake of saturated fat and increased fibre intake, which can contribute to improved health outcomes.

However, others may view plant-based diets as lacking in certain essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, and protein. This perception can be a barrier to adopting a plant-based diet, especially if individuals are concerned about potential health risks or deficiencies.

The taste and convenience of plant-based diets can also influence people's perceptions. Some may find plant-based meals less tasty or convenient to prepare compared to meat-based options. Additionally, the availability of plant-based options when eating out or the perception of having to frequently shop for ingredients may be deterrents.

Cost is another factor that can impact the perception of plant-based diets. Plant-based diets are sometimes seen as more expensive, especially if they require the purchase of specialised or organic products.

Health benefits

A plant-based diet has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, from reducing the risk of certain diseases to aiding weight loss. Here are some of the key health benefits:

• Reduced risk of cancer: A plant-based diet has been consistently proven to reduce the risk of cancer. This is due to the high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in plants, which help keep cells healthy and protect the body from germs and microorganisms.
• Improved immune system: Plant-based diets provide essential nutrients that support the immune system and help it function at its best. Antioxidants in plants also neutralise toxins from pollution, processed food, bacteria, and viruses.
• Reduced inflammation: The nutrients in plant-based foods help resolve inflammation in the body. This is important as prolonged inflammation is linked to cancer and other inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
• Weight management: Plant-based diets are often associated with weight loss and a reduced risk of obesity. This is because plant-based foods tend to be lower in fat and calories, and higher in fibre. Fibre also improves gut health, which further aids in weight management.
• Lower risk of heart disease: Plant-based diets have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood lipid profiles. This includes lowering total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
• Lower risk of diabetes: Plant-based diets can help prevent and manage diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin resistance. They have also been found to lower haemoglobin A1C levels, a key marker for diabetes control.
• Improved gut health: Plant-based diets are high in fibre, which improves gut health and aids in the absorption of nutrients. Fibre also has additional benefits such as lowering cholesterol and stabilising blood sugar levels.
• Reduced risk of other diseases: In addition to cancer, plant-based diets have been linked to a reduced risk of other diseases such as stroke, mental health illnesses, and certain types of cancer, specifically colon, breast, and prostate cancer.

Environmental benefits

Plant-based diets are associated with a range of environmental benefits. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Transitioning to plant-based diets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with some studies indicating a potential decrease of up to 49% in emissions. This is mainly due to the high emissions associated with meat production, particularly beef, which has a larger environmental footprint than other animal products.
• Lower agricultural land use: Plant-based diets can substantially reduce agricultural land use since animal products require more land for production compared to plant-based alternatives. It is estimated that animal product-free diets could lead to a 76% reduction in diet-related land use.
• Improved water conservation: Adopting plant-based diets can contribute to water conservation by reducing water usage in agriculture. Animal agriculture is a major consumer of freshwater resources, and shifting towards plant-based alternatives can help alleviate water scarcity issues.
• Reduced eutrophication: Plant-based diets can help mitigate eutrophication, the process by which water bodies become enriched with excessive nutrients, often leading to harmful algal blooms. Animal agriculture contributes significantly to eutrophication through manure runoff and fertilizer use.
• Health co-benefits: In addition to the environmental benefits, plant-based diets offer co-benefits for human health. These diets are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.

Cost

The cost of a plant-based diet is a highly debated topic. Some people believe that eating plant-based is more expensive, while others argue that it is more affordable. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, as the cost of a plant-based diet depends on various factors, including food choices, income, and location.

Food Choices:

The cost of a plant-based diet can vary depending on the specific foods chosen. Whole foods such as oats, beans, rice, seasonal fruits and vegetables are generally affordable and can result in significant savings. On the other hand, processed vegan foods, such as vegan burgers, brats, and cheeses, tend to be more expensive. Additionally, pre-packaged and convenience foods, whether plant-based or not, are usually pricier due to the added cost of convenience.

A study published in the *Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition* found that vegetarians spent around $750 less on food per year than meat-eaters when comparing US Department of Agriculture weekly meal plans. The vegetarian diet also provided more servings of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits, which are linked to better health outcomes.

Another study by the University of Oxford estimated that if everyone adopted a plant-based diet, there would be a 10% decrease in mortality and a 29% reduction in food-related carbon emissions, resulting in savings of $1.067 trillion per year.

Income:

The cost of a plant-based diet can also depend on a person's income and budget. For those with limited financial resources, a plant-based diet may seem more expensive, especially if they are used to buying cheap, processed, and energy-dense foods. However, with proper planning and knowledge of affordable plant-based options, a plant-based diet can be accessible to people from all income levels.

Location:

The cost of plant-based foods can vary depending on the region and availability of certain items. For example, buying organic produce may be more expensive in some areas, while shopping locally or joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) can offer more affordable options.

Tips for Affordability:

• Shop seasonally for produce and buy frozen fruits and vegetables when they are cheaper than fresh.
• Look for dry essentials like flours, beans, pastas, and nuts in bulk.
• Batch cook essentials like beans and rice, and either eat leftovers or freeze them for future meals.
• Plan your meals ahead of time to avoid impulse purchases and reduce food waste.
• Consider the long-term health benefits and potential healthcare cost savings associated with a plant-based diet.

Taste

Three in five Americans would try a plant-based diet if the options were tastier. A poll of 2,000 Americans found that 28% of respondents who had tried a plant-based diet but could not continue cited a lack of flavour or taste as the reason. This perception of blandness and lack of taste variety is a common deterrent, with many viewing plant-based diets as restrictive and monotonous.

Improving Taste

However, this perception of plant-based diets lacking taste can be addressed through innovation in the plant-based food industry. The development of plant-based meat alternatives, for example, aims to match the taste, structure, and nutritional value of meat while offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. These alternatives can make the transition to plant-based diets more appealing and palatable for consumers.

Cost is another factor that intersects with taste. The perception of plant-based diets as expensive can be a barrier, especially when compared to the relatively cheaper options of meat and animal-based products. To address this, policies such as subsidising the production of sustainable and healthy foods, and taxing unhealthier options, can help make plant-based diets more affordable and accessible.

Cultural factors also play a role in taste preferences. In some high-income countries, meat is considered an important part of a meal, and plant-based diets may be viewed as inconvenient or less enjoyable. In contrast, plant-based diets may be more acceptable in low- and middle-income countries due to cultural, financial, ethical, or religious reasons.

Convenience

The cost of the diet transition can be calculated in different ways. Studies often compare different prices of the same amount of food items by defining them as "healthier" or "less healthy". In addition, food price can be estimated as the price of a unit portion per day (cost/average portion) or per calories (cost/kcal).

The affordability of plant-based diets depends on the context. In high-income countries, the transition to a plant-based diet would be more affordable, while in low-middle income and low-income countries it would be more expensive.

The acceptability of foods depends on environmental factors as well as convenience, availability, social interactions, sensory attributes, culture and context. Plant-based diets are generally considered acceptable in low- and low-middle income countries because of cultural, financial, ethical and/or religious reasons, while in high-income countries people often consider meat an important part of a meal and the attitude towards vegetarian/vegan diets are to be inconvenient, difficult to prepare and less enjoyable than omnivorous diets.

Frequently asked questions