The number of people following a vegan diet is on the rise. GlobalData research from the first quarter of 2017 has found that 3% of the British population now describe themselves as vegan, compared with 0.8% in 2014. In the US the difference is even bigger: 5.5% of Americans now claim to eat vegan, compared with 1% in 2014.
Veganism is growing on the back of the latest health fads. Consumer concern about processed foods and the desire for natural and organic food leads to consumers adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to their diet. Lactose has also received negative press, linked with digestive issues. This makes clean label vegan foods attractive to health-conscious consumers.
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The rising number of vegans, and how fashionable the cuisine is, is making big companies sit up and take notice. This will make 2018 the best year for vegans yet, as the number of vegan options will increase in both supermarkets and restaurants.
Technology is also helping vegans out. The ability to check menus online makes it easy to find vegan-friendly restaurants. Online grocery shopping means vegans can find the right products without having to spend hours lost in supermarkets checking every label. And ingredient box delivery services such as Hello Fresh and Gousto are making it easier to cook impressive vegan meals at home by delivering ingredients to subscribers’ doors.
These trends will combine to make 2018 the best year yet in which to follow a vegan diet.
