Vegetarians - How Many?

In a survey conducted by the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2009, 3% of U.S. adults indicated they never eat meat, poultry, and fish/seafood. They were classified as vegetarian. About 1/3 to 1/4 of the vegetarians (one percent of the U.S. adult population) also never eat dairy, eggs, and honey, and were classified as vegan. Eight percent of respondents said they never eat meat.

When marketing vegetarian and vegan foods, you also need to look at the much larger number of people interested in these items, as well as those actually vegetarian. With 5% of females 18-34 being vegetarian, and 12% of females ages 18–34 not eating meat, this makes a strong statement for companies and restaurants to develop more meatless products and dishes for these consumers.

Based on this data, about 3% of the U.S. adult population is vegetarian. We can therefore estimate there are approximately 6-8 million adult vegetarians in the United States.

What is surprising to me is that 7% of 8- to 18-year-olds never eat meat, while 12% of males ages 10 to 12 stated they don't eat meat.

In the poll, 3% of U.S youth indicated they never eat meat, poultry, and fish/seafood. They were classified as vegetarian. About 1/3 of the vegetarians (1% of the U.S. youth population) also never eat dairy, eggs, and honey, and were classified as vegan.

When marketing to vegetarians, these numbers make a good case for producing vegan products, as well as creating items which will appeal to youth who are not vegetarian, but don't eat meat.

Vegetarian numbers are growing as people become more aware of not just the health benefits, but the benefits to the environment as well. This is a market that will continue to grow and thrive and make a hugh mark on our economy in more than just monetary.

"Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to
embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. Nothing will
benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as
the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
(Albert Einstein)

http://www.vrg.org/

Soy Products Sales Booming

According to Soyfoods Association of North America, from 1996 to 2009, soyfoods sales have increased from $1 billion to $4.5 billion over 13 years. Vegetarians are not the only people to have realized the health benefits of replacing meat and milk products with those made from soybeans. Back in 1979, Hong-Kong-based soymilk maker Vitasoy introduced their soymilk to the United States. At that same time Vitasoy was selling their soymilk in California, a small Minnesota company, Sunrich Food Group, was working to develop soymilk domestically. Starting with soybeans and equipment meant for dairy production, Sunrich began making its first soymilk in 1985.

Now, vegetarians have a hugh selection of products made from soy, many of them intended to look and taste like meat and meat products. Soy meat alternatives, also called “meat analogs,” are made primarily from soy proteins. A few meat alternatives are derived from tofu. Flavors and spices are typically added to enhance sensory qualities. So for those who think you will miss eating meat, the choices are endless.

Burgers and hot dogs, delis slices, stew, chili or pasta, taco fillings, chicken- like patties and nuggets, and even ribs and sausage- style strips.

 Fast preparation is why shoppers love these items. There is rarely thawing or pre-browning cooking steps. Most go from package to pan or can be prepared quickly with only an addition of water. Soy meat alternatives can be used in the same way as the foods they replace. Refrigerated soy meat alternatives will keep for 3-4 days while freezer storage varies from 9 to 18 months depending on the product.

From 2007 to 2009, meat alternatives alone grew in sales from $573 million to $636 million.

I have not tried these substitutes. I do enjoy soymilk and I love cooked soybeans. To me they are not trying to be something else. I love the garden burgers found in the freezer section and the Market Place right here at Sinclair makes a great Spicy Black Bean Burger. But for many vegetarians and others who just want to lower their cholesterol, there is a world of soy products to sample.

New soyfood categories (i.e. soy-based drinks, drinkable cultured soy, soy dairy free frozen desserts, and energy bars) are emerging with strong and steady growth.  There is also an organization for farmers to find opportunities to contract premium prices for their speciality soybeans. They join in the commitment to bring quality, great tasting soy products to the consumer.


www.soyfoods.org

Vegetarian Fast Food?

Earlier this year a former executive for McDonalds, Mike Roberts was approached by investment banker Stephen Sidwell. Both agreed that the time was right for a healthy fast food option. LYFE ("Love Your Food Everyday") Kitchen is the name of a "transformational, socially responsible lifestyle brand" that is scheduled to open this summer in Palo Alto, California. If the launch goes well, they hope to open 250 more nationwide.

The key to any restaurants success of course is the food and if it doesn't taste good nobody will buy it. The two guys they hired to make this happen are Chef Art Smith, former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, and Chef Tal Ronnen, who is a renowned vegan and vegetarian chef,and who prepared the first ever vegan meal for the US Senate.

Their expectation is that smart real estate decisions, carefully constructed marketing, philanthropy as a core principle and tasty food will push Lyfe to succeed where others have failed. Lyfe faces many hurdles, including the basic challenge of getting the average person in the door on a regular basis. Picking the right name was important as well; after looking at over 6000 choices they picked Lyfe.

No item on the menu will contain more than 600 calories, with each featuring responsibly sourced ingredients from local farms and sustainable whenever possible.

To me this is great for anyone contemplating eating not only vegan food but any healthy choice. I believe most think it is too hard and too time consuming to make the smart choice, but if this chain can succeed it should bring more people around. The time has come. To watch a video, click on the link below.

www.lyfekitchen.com
ChicagoTribune article, Feb, 2011

In doing my research meat and the economy, I came across a 2009 Meat and Poultry Industry Economic Contribution Study that quoted that the industry contributes $832 billion in total to the U.S. economy. Looking at the numbers closer to home, in Ohio's Congressional District 3 the industry is responsible for a little over 21,000 jobs. All told, the meat and poultry industry generates nearly $1.58 billion in activity in the district. Given the job situation that exists in Ohio and elsewhere, encouraging people to switch to a plant based diet, which in turn would have an impact on those jobs would not be well received in the short term.

However, if you were considering investing in a company that produces animal based foods, there could be major pitfalls looming. The recent signs of global warming continuing to increase could mean the government would mandate or legislate changes to more sustainable agricultural systems. The other environmental threats - pollution of rivers and streams by animal wastes and runoff of agricultural chemicals, soil erosion and depletion, odors from animal wastes could become so great that the government could see a need to reduce livestock agriculture. Shortages in land, water, and fuel will cause the cost of producing animal products to increase.

By contrast, companies specializing in plant based foods are looking good. Because product innovation, media attention, and buyer demand are creating strong growth for the vegetarian foods market, more companies are trying to profit from meat, dairy, and egg alternatives. 1998 reported a 290% increase over 1990 in new food items with either meatless or vegetarian in their names. This is just a small sample of the trend toward vegetarian diets.

"Nothing is as irresistible as an idea whose time has come."  There seems to be great potential for an improved financial health.

Do Vegetarians Hurt the Economy?

I have only recently become a vegetarian, and I am still eating eggs and fish. Maybe one day I will eliminate all animal, but for now this works for me. I decided this mainly for my health, I want to live longer. But more importantly, the quality of life, however long is foremost. People on a vegetarian diet generally don't get sick as often as those who eat meat and this made me think about the industries this would impact.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are primarily health issues associated with animal fats, and because of the lower incidences with vegetarians, the medical industry loses revenue, not to mention the pharmaceutical drug industry.

Vegetarians represent a very small fraction of the overweight population. Think of the many TV programs about  people who are prisoners of all those extra pounds. If people switched to plant based diets, what would happen to the weight loss industry?

The biggest impact would be on the meat industry, and I have only begun to scratch the surface of the impact that a plant based diet has on this huge industry, but vegetarians are a threat to their billion dollar industry.

I want to explore the positive side of being a vegetarian as it pertains to our economy on my journey to a totally plant based diet. For now, I close with a quote from Albert Einstein. Although not a total vegetarian, he knew the benefits of a plant-based diet.

 "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

http://choosehealthtoday.blogspot.com/