Four in 10 adults switch to plant-based diets to keep partner happy, poll finds

Average person lasts just 19 weeks after making change

Support from a partner can help to make the switch to meat-free lifestyles (Getty)

Nearly four in 10 Britons who have turned vegetarian or vegan have done so for a partner, a poll has found.

A survey of 2,000 adults who have opted for a meat-free diet found 18 per cent made the switch to keep their other half happy.

And 19 per cent wanted to support them in their quest for a healthier diet.

A third even claimed they would never have considered giving up meat if it wasn’t for the encouragement of their other half.

But it isn’t just partners who influence eating habits, as 16 per cent made changes following requests from the children, and 19 per cent were persuaded by friends.

It also emerged that eight in 10 found the change in diet easier to adapt to than they could have imagined, with 53 per cent saying they feel healthier and more energetic since adopting a plant-based diet.

Tammy Fry, for international vegan food brand The Fry Family Food Co which carried out the study, said: “Our research shows that when it comes to trying out a plant-based diet, encouragement from partners, family and friends can be really helpful.

“When it comes to taking steps towards a meat-free diet, it doesn’t have to be ‘all or nothing’ – you can simply start by making easy swaps once or twice a week.

“It’s never been easier to introduce meat-free options into your diet, without compromising the taste or quality of your meal.”

The study found just 7 per cent of adults who dropped meat from their mealtimes found the decision difficult.

However, those who did find it hard cited lack of choice when eating out and cooking meals as key reasons.

Other factors making vegan or vegetarianism harder to adopt include having a family who were against it (28 per cent), and never being able to find easy takeaway options (28 per cent).

The meal adults found most difficult to adapt to non-meat was dinner (34 per cent), with chicken, bacon and sausages missed most.

A separate report of 1,000 adults, also carried out via OnePoll for Fry Family Food Co, found 46 per cent have tried to follow a vegetarian or plant based diet at some point.

Of these, a partner was responsible for the shift in 49 per cent of cases.

However, the average person lasted just 19 weeks – less than five months – on the new diet.

And for one in 20, the chief reason for going back to meat was the relationship ending, while 57 per cent really missed the foods they were cutting out.

But a fifth of those who gave up admitted they would like to try again, with 23 per cent feeling more tempted by the more diverse range of plant-based alternatives now on the market.

SWNS