The State of Vegetarianism

Here is a snippet from an article on the Vegetarian Times web site. Although 7.3 million is still not a large percentage, I think it is significant that more people are eating less meat and consider their diet "vegetarian-inclined."

Vegetarian Times Study Shows
7.3 Million Americans Are Vegetarians

Additional 22.8 Million Follow a Vegetarian-Inclined Diet

The just-released “Vegetarianism in America” study, published by Vegetarian Times (vegetariantimes.com), shows that 3.2 percent of U.S. adults, or 7.3 million people, follow a vegetarian-based diet. Approximately 0.5 percent, or 1 million, of those are vegans, who consume no animal products at all. In addition, 10 percent of U.S., adults, or 22.8 million people, say they largely follow a vegetarian-inclined diet.

Data for this survey were collected by the Harris Interactive Service Bureau on behalf of Vegetarian Times. The poll surveyed 5,050 respondents, a statistically representative sample of the total U.S. population. Vegetarian Times commissioned RRC Associates, a research firm in Boulder, Colo., to perform the data analysis.

The 2008 study also indicates that of the non-vegetarians surveyed 5.2 percent, or 11.9 million people, are “definitely interested” in following a vegetarian-based diet in the future.

The study also collected data on age, gender and other demographic factors. Of the vegetarians surveyed:

59 percent are female; 41 percent are male.
42.0 percent are age 18 to 34 years old; 40.7 percent are 35 to 54; and 17.4 percent are over 55.
57.1 percent have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years; 18 percent for 5 to 10 years; 10.8 percent for 2 to 5 years, 14.1 percent for less than 2 years.

Finding Vegetarian Recipes

Whenever new acquaintances find out that I am a vegan, many inevitable ask: "So, what do you eat?"
The implication, of course, is that without animal products there is nothing left.

However, whenever these same people come over to my apartment (formerly house) and spy a copy of my Vegetarian Times, they finally seem to get it. Finding healthy vegetarian recipes that are also delicious IS not hard.

While cookbooks can be great, my favorite source for new recipes is Vegetarian Times magazine. It meets three important requirements: it has great pictures of the final product, most of the recipes are easy to make AND they use common ingredients that are easy to find.

A few years ago, VT underwent an awesome overhaul. I used to prefer one of their competitors because many of the VT's recipes used dairy products. However, now most of the recipes are vegan or can be easily converted. Their articles also go beyond food getting to health topics and environmental issues that many vegetarians find important.

My two favorite monthly features are "Vegan Gourmet," which offers three delicious themed recipes, and "30 Minutes," which offers several easy-to-make dishes.

Among about 50 recipes in this issue, here are some I'm looking forward to trying: roasted tomatillo and black bean tacos, Greek lentil salad, lemonberry muffins and banana cocoa smoothies.

My biggest problem is that I never bother to cut out my favorite recipes, figuring I can find it later. However, now my stack of magazines is so big, it's almost impossible. However, I always know I can find something great!