Tag: Flexitarianism

According to a 2016 Urban Dictionary post, a flexitarian is defined simply as "an occasional meat eater". This differs from the formal definition, which describes the dietary pattern of a flexible vegetarian who consciously reduces their meat intake while still consuming it occasionally.

The term "flexitarian" is a blend of the words "flexible" and "vegetarian," and was first recorded in the early 1990s. A flexitarian slang person refers to someone who primarily follows a plant-based diet but occasionally includes meat, fish, or other animal products. This eating style has gained widespread popularity for its balanced approach, which offers the health and environmental benefits of a vegetarian diet without the strict constraints.

As of early 2025, approximately 5% of the South Korean population, including flexitarians, identifies with a plant-based diet, indicating a significant rise in interest. This rapid shift in diet prompts many to ask, "Are many Koreans vegan?" and underscores a growing movement influenced by health, environmental concerns, and animal welfare.

Studies indicate that despite the growing visibility of vegetarian and vegan diets, the vast majority of the population still consumes meat. This article explores how to rationalize eating meat by navigating the complex ethical, nutritional, and environmental factors surrounding this dietary choice, and offers strategies for conscious consumption.

According to a 2017 survey conducted by Nielsen for Centro Vegetariano, an estimated 0.6% of the Portuguese population identified as strictly vegan at the time. While a more recent analysis from 2024 notes fluctuations in overall plant-based adherence, the precise figure for what percentage of Portugal is vegan remains a topic of ongoing study.

As of early 2025, a study revealed that the share of Canadians identifying as omnivores had declined, yet the number of self-identified vegans only increased marginally. This raises the question: is Canada going vegan, or is a more complex shift occurring in the national diet? The reality is nuanced, with flexitarianism dominating the landscape.

Recent Gallup polls report that 1% of the U.S. population identifies as vegan, a figure that highlights the complexity of capturing precise dietary data amidst the growing popularity of plant-based eating and flexitarian lifestyles.

Recent studies suggest that approximately 3% of the European population identifies as vegan, though this figure fluctuates annually and varies significantly by country. This growing plant-based movement is reshaping the continent's dietary landscape, making the question of what percent of Europeans are vegan more relevant than ever.

As of 2023, reputable sources like Gallup reported that approximately 4% of Americans identify as vegetarian, a figure that remains relatively stable over recent years despite growing interest in plant-based alternatives. While the percentage of strict vegetarians may seem small, a much larger portion of the U.S. population is actively reducing their meat consumption.

According to a 2021 Euromonitor survey, 42% of global consumers were restricting certain animal-based products, highlighting a major shift in eating habits. A growing number of people are giving up non-vegetarian food for a variety of interconnected reasons, moving towards more plant-based diets.