When it comes to nutrition, 37% of Americans say they’re following a specific diet this year, which is up from 35% last year and 29% in 2016, according to Nielsen, Chicago.
Amid the various nutrition programs on the market today, plant-based diets are gaining particular prominence. A Nielsen Homescan survey found that last year 39% of Americans are actively trying to eat more plant-based foods. To meet their goals, however, many shoppers aren’t looking to traditional plant-based staples like tofu, brown rice and granola. In fact, sales of traditional plant-based options were down 1.3% in the year ended April 7.
That’s not to say that growth in plant options is absent, however. Within the plant-based food space, innovation is booming, and an array of plant-based alternatives are posting significant sales growth.
In looking across the United States, 6% of Americans say they follow a strictly vegetarian lifestyle, while 3% follow a strictly vegan lifestyle. Regardless of motivations, the number of consumers adopting vegetarian or vegan lifestyles is increasing, predominantly among young and diverse consumer groups. In looking across demographic groups, ethnic and young consumers express higher intentions to eat more plant-based foods:
- African Americans are 48% more likely than the average U.S. consumer to incorporate plant-based foods.
- Asian Americans are 47% more likely than the average U.S. consumer to incorporate plant-based foods.
- Hispanic consumers are 46% more likely than the average U.S. consumer to incorporate plant-based foods.
- Caucasian Millennials are 47% more likely than the average U.S. consumer to incorporate plant-based foods.
From a total store perspective, plant-based food options are no small potatoes. As of 2017, 19.5% of food and beverage dollars came from products that met a plant-based diet. And, as a result of consumer interest, vegan (which excludes produce) and produce sales growth is outpacing total food and beverage sales.
In addition, vegan and produce options increased their dollar share by nearly 2% between 2014 and 2017.
Vegetarian and vegan offerings aren’t limited to solid foods. And, from a consumption perspective, Americans are going nuts for almond milk, which posted a 3-year combined annual growth rate of 8.2%.
Whether it be due to health, ethics or sustainability, the proportion of U.S. consumers that adhere to a vegetarian or vegan diet is growing. And, that presents notable opportunity for brands and retailers looking for ways to capitalize on specific needs and desires among consumers opting for plant-based food and beverage options, particularly in cases where no or few options currently exist.
