Nearly two-thirds of British citizens express interest in consuming less meat, yet lingering misunderstandings persist.
In a significant development, a new survey commissioned by Eating Better and the Food Foundation has shed light on the growing trend towards reducing meat consumption in the UK. The survey, which involved over 1,700 participants, revealed that more than one-third of Brits are open to reducing their meat intake.
Sarah Wakefield, the executive director of Eating Better, emphasised that many people feel alone in their desire to eat less meat, but the survey findings suggest otherwise. The majority of the country, it appears, is open to the idea of reducing the amount of meat they eat.
The survey comes months after a Food Foundation report called on businesses and governments to make beans and whole plant foods more appealing. The report suggests that increasing bean consumption in the UK requires investment in growers, developing bean supply chains, making beans more available, and promoting them.
Interestingly, the importance of health as a reason for eating less meat has nosedived from 35% last year to just 19% in 2025. Instead, animal welfare, money, and the origin of animal products are the top reasons Brits are eating less meat.
The survey found that 66% of Brits are willing to cut back on animal proteins, which is five percentage points higher than in 2024. However, only 42% of Brits are confident in cooking beans, despite two-thirds feeling confident with meat or in general.
Despite this, the survey found that three in five Brits enjoy eating beans, 62% find them tasty, and 73% believe they're good for health. Furthermore, 44% of Brits want to eat more beans, compared to 33% who don't.
The survey also found that 53% believe beans are a good replacement for meat because they're economical, and 50% say the same due to their climate-friendliness. This perception gap around protein was also highlighted in the report, with many meat-eaters believing they would need to find alternative sources of protein if they were to reduce their meat consumption.
However, the survey found that only 45% of meat-eaters are worried about their protein intake if they were to reduce their meat consumption, while only 12% of meat-free respondents reported protein as a concern.
The brand Bold Bean Co is experiencing triple-digit growth in the UK, and Tofu and Tempeh are becoming more popular as well. Despite this, currently, only 24% of Brits eat beans at least twice a week, versus 45% who eat a maximum of three times a month.
In contrast, only one in 10 UK consumers has increased their meat intake this year. The survey found that 22% of participants are already consuming less meat than last year, and half of them eat it less than four times a week.
Eating Better aims to bring a 50% reduction in meat and dairy consumption in the UK by 2030. Over a third of Brits agree that industrial livestock farming has a negative impact on animal and planetary health, with half of 18- to 24-year-olds holding this view.
The survey results underscore the growing trend towards plant-based diets in the UK and the need for businesses and governments to respond to this shift by making plant-based options more accessible and appealing.
Read also:
- Trump's SNAP reductions and New York City Council's grocery delivery legislation: Problems for city residents highlighted
- Reducing dental expenses for elderlies in Sweden: Over 50% cut in charges for pensioners by the government
- Forty-year-old diet: A list of meal choices to savor
- Exiled Life's Conundrum: A Blend of Liberation, Disillusionment, and Distress
