Motivations For Lapsed Vegetarians

This study of United Kingdom consumers by MMR Research Worldwide shows that vegetarians represent about 6% of the UK adult population and that “lapsed vegetarians” represent about 10% of the population. The vegetarians surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the food offerings available to them in both supermarkets and fast food restaurants.

Major findings from this survey of nearly 6,000 UK vegetarians:

• 10% of lapsed vegetarians say they moved away from this lifestyle due to health and nutrition concerns.
• Vegetarians are 27% more likely to buy supplements than non-vegetarians; 50% of vegetarians regularly take vitamin supplements (compared with 36% of non-vegetarians) and 26% of vegetarians regularly take mineral supplements (compared with 15% of non-vegetarians).
• 22% of UK vegetarians are not satisfied with the vegetarian options in their supermarkets.
• Slightly less than half of UK vegetarians are unhappy with the vegetarian choices available in convenience stores.
• More than three-quarters (76%) of UK vegetarians are unhappy with the vegetarian food options available to them in fast food restaurants.
• UK vegetarians are primarily concerned with the diversity and availability of ready meals, frozen foods, and meat substitutes.