Is America Eating Less Meat? The Complex Reality of a Changing Diet

December 22, 2025 •

3 min read

A 2025 survey revealed that 98% of American households still purchase meat, yet a significant portion are actively trying to reduce their intake. This paradox of high consumption alongside a drive for reduction defines the current dietary landscape in the United States, suggesting the answer to whether America is eating less meat is not a simple yes or no.

Quick Summary

The American diet is undergoing a subtle but significant shift, with many consciously reducing meat, particularly red meat, due to rising prices and health concerns. High overall consumption persists, yet growing flexitarianism shapes the market.

Key Points

Consumption Is Complex: While overall meat buying remains high, a significant portion of Americans are intentionally reducing their intake, especially of red meat.
Cost is a Key Factor: Rising prices, particularly for beef, are a major driver causing consumers to buy less or switch to cheaper proteins.
Health is a Top Priority: Health concerns consistently rank as a primary motivation for reducing meat consumption for many Americans.
Flexitarianism Reigns: Rather than converting to strict vegetarianism, most people are becoming flexitarians, opting for meatless meals and smaller portions.
Market Reacts: The shift in consumer behavior is forcing industry changes, with plant-based alternatives gaining market share and meat producers adapting their strategies.
Red Meat Sees the Biggest Change: Consumption of red meat is decreasing more notably than poultry, driven by health, cost, and environmental concerns.
Generation Gap Exists: Younger generations are more open to plant-based diets and alternatives, while older generations show stronger habits with traditional meat.

The Evolving Data on Meat Consumption in the US

Historically, the US has seen high per capita meat consumption, a trend that stabilized and began to shift in the 21st century. While most American households still buy meat, recent years show a reduction in overall sales volume, indicating a move towards consuming less. The US remains a major meat consumer globally, but there's a clear trend of changing habits influenced by modern factors.

Key Factors Driving Shifts in Meat Consumption

Several factors contribute to changes in American meat consumption:

Economic Pressures and Price Hikes

Rising costs, especially for beef, are a primary reason many Americans are buying less meat. A September 2025 survey indicated that 60% of people were reducing or eliminating beef purchases due to price. Consumers are adjusting by buying less, seeking cheaper options, or switching to other protein sources.

Health and Wellness Awareness

Health concerns are consistently cited as a major reason to reduce meat intake. A 2024 survey highlighted health as a key factor for cutting back on red and processed meats. Increased awareness of links between meat consumption and health issues prompts many to choose poultry over red meat or consider plant-based options.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

While less dominant than price or health for most, environmental impact and animal welfare are important factors for some, particularly younger consumers. Awareness of the environmental footprint of meat production influences some reduction, and animal welfare concerns also motivate dietary choices.

The Rise of the Flexitarian and Plant-Based Alternatives

Many Americans reduce meat intake by adopting a flexitarian diet, which means consuming less meat without fully eliminating it. Common strategies include eating smaller portions, having meat-free meals, substituting ingredients, and incorporating more plant-based proteins. The market for plant-based alternatives is growing, despite some recent sales fluctuations, and is expected to see long-term expansion. However, factors like taste and cost affect consumer satisfaction with these products. Blended meat products that combine animal and plant proteins are also emerging.

Comparison Table: Drivers of Meat Consumption Change


Factor	Primary Impact	Consumer Group Focus	Evidence and Trends	Perceived Effect on Diet	Potential for Growth
Price	Most direct and immediate	Broad consumer base, especially lower/middle income	Rising prices (especially beef), inflation concerns	Buying cheaper cuts, reducing volume, seeking alternative proteins	High, dependent on economic stability
Health	Strong, long-term motivator	All demographics, but often more prevalent among older and more educated consumers	Consistent citation of health concerns in surveys	Shift to leaner meats (poultry), smaller portions, more meatless meals	Consistent and enduring
Environment	Growing, but less immediate impact	Younger generations, environmentally conscious consumers	Some awareness but lower priority than health or price	Conscious reduction, seeking sustainable options, supporting plant-based alternatives	Moderate, driven by younger consumer habits
Animal Welfare	Ethical motivator	Younger demographics, specific ethical groups	Cited as a reason for reduction by a portion of consumers	Conscious reduction, shift towards perceived more ethical meat sources or plant-based	Moderate, niche, but potentially growing with consumer education
Taste/Satisfaction	Inhibitor or motivator	All consumers	Cited as a barrier to adopting plant-based options	Continued preference for traditional meat, slow adoption of alternatives	Variable, dependent on improvements in alternative products

The Future Outlook: What's Next for the American Diet?

The American diet is moving towards a more intentional and varied approach rather than a sudden abandonment of meat. Price will likely remain a key factor due to economic pressures. Health concerns will continue to drive demand for leaner options and plant-based foods. Environmental and ethical motivations are gaining ground, especially with younger consumers, influencing future market trends. The trajectory points to increased demand for products like blended meats and quality plant-based options. The meat industry is adapting to these shifts. The future suggests a more flexible and mindful approach to meat consumption in the US.

Conclusion

Answering whether America is eating less meat is complex. While most still consume meat, a significant and growing number are reducing their intake, particularly of red meat. This shift is driven by economic factors, increasing health awareness, and, for some, ethical considerations. Flexitarianism is a major trend, involving reduced consumption rather than complete elimination. The plant-based market continues to develop, showing potential for long-term growth despite recent challenges. The American diet is becoming more nuanced, reflecting changing consumer values and a more considered approach to eating meat.

Gallup News: Nearly One in Four in U.S. Have Cut Back on Eating Meat

Frequently Asked Questions

No, despite many Americans cutting back on meat, the percentage of strict vegetarians and vegans remains low and relatively stable. The more dominant trend is flexitarianism, where people consciously reduce their meat intake rather than eliminating it entirely.

Red meat, particularly beef, is seeing the most significant reduction. This is influenced by a combination of high prices, specific health concerns, and environmental factors linked to red meat production.

The primary reasons include rising food costs, especially for beef, along with growing awareness of health concerns associated with high meat intake. Ethical and environmental factors also play a role for many consumers, though often as secondary motivators.

While interest in plant-based alternatives is growing, they still represent a small portion of the overall meat market. Sales for some plant-based items have experienced recent dips, but the sector is projected for long-term growth and continues to attract significant investment.

Most people reduce their intake gradually by opting for smaller portions, eliminating meat from certain meals (like going meatless on Mondays), or using substitutes in recipes. Blended meat products that combine animal and plant ingredients are also gaining interest as a compromise.

Environmental concern is a motivating factor for some consumers, but for the majority, health and price are stronger drivers. Research suggests that messaging focused solely on environmental impact may not be the most effective strategy for promoting broader behavior change.

Economic factors, particularly the high cost of meat, have a considerable impact on purchasing habits. A significant percentage of consumers report buying less meat or switching to cheaper cuts to save money, indicating that price is a major influence.