A new
survey by the research firm Mintel showed that 75 percent of consumers surveyed
said they are trying to eat more protein as part of a healthy diet. However, 58
percent said they have tried or are interested in trying to eat less meat.
“A
conscious effort to eat more protein through meat alternatives is not only the
result of consumers perceiving meat alternatives as healthier and more
cost-efficient, but also the sheer availability of more of these types of
products,” said Gina Cavato, lifestyles and leisure analyst at Mintel. “With
more protein-rich options, we expect to see consumers continue to turn to
non-meat options for their protein nutrients, especially if they are cheaper
and more accessible.”
The
survey also revealed that more than half (55 percent) of respondents said they
lived a healthier lifestyle in 2017 compared to the year prior, and 45 percent
said they have made dramatic changes to improve their health.
Aspiration versus reality
Despite
the fact that three in four adults consider eating a healthy diet and getting
enough sleep (76 percent, respectively) to be a part of a healthy lifestyle,
only half say they regularly do either (52 percent respectively).
A
similar pattern is seen regarding exercise; while 74 percent say regular
exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, just 53 percent say they do so
regularly.
Half of
consumers who don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle all of the time cite
motivation as their biggest obstacle to keeping up with exercise (50 percent)
and healthy eating (48 percent) habits.
Cost is
also seen as a barrier to healthy living with 40 percent of consumers who don’t
maintain healthy eating habits all of the time agreeing that healthy foods are
too expensive. Time is also cited as an obstacle to both exercising and eating
healthy foods.