Cheese is main temptation for Britons when switching to veganism, finds survey

Seven in 10 adults agree it is easier than ever to get hold of vegan products

Despite their love of dairy and other animal produce, seven in 10 adults agree it’s easier than ever to get hold of vegan products (Getty Images)

The average adult would only make it to 8 January before succumbing to their old favourites if they were to attempt Veganuary, according to a survey. 

Much of the British public admitted they would struggle with the switch – because they would struggle to live without cheese, eggs and pancakes. 

Classics such as roast chicken, fish and chips, and bacon sandwiches would also prove too much to resist, according to research of 2,000 people.

Cheese topped the list of the top 40 items individual’s couldn’t go without, with 56 per cent admitting they would struggle to stick to a diet where it was off-limits.

Another one in six couldn’t give up pepperoni on a pizza and nearly a quarter would not want to go without cream.

Sausages, a steak or a lasagne would also be hard to skip for those trying a plant-based diet, the survey found.

Despite their love of dairy and other animal produce, seven in 10 adults agree it is easier than ever to get hold of vegan products.

Catherine Lloyd, spokeswoman for Elmlea Plant, which commissioned the research, said: “It is fascinating to see that such a big proportion of the UK population are taking part in Veganuary this year, but that many don’t expect to make it even halfway through the month.

“However, going vegan doesn’t have to mean missing out– vegan alternatives have come a long way and a lot of the foods people would miss by going vegan now have really great alternatives that are indistinguishable in terms of taste, including cream and cheese.

“It was good to see the results finding that people are willing to try vegan foods, even if they wouldn’t adopt the lifestyle completely.”

Other top foods Britons would miss most if they went plant-based include chicken nuggets, cheesecake or butter.

And those with a sweet tooth would struggle to live without chocolate brownies or doughnuts.

Another 39 per cent would be more inclined to buy vegan products if they couldn’t taste the difference between them and animal-derived foodstuffs.

It also emerged just over a third of adults are reluctant to try more vegan food because their family or partner wouldn’t go for it, according to the research carried out by OnePoll.

Although more than one in 10 have had an animal product secretly replaced in one of their meals by a vegan friend or family member – and didn’t notice.

Ms Lloyd said: “It will be fantastic to see more people than ever take on Veganuary this year, given the obvious benefits to the planet every time someone makes a small swap to plant-based alternatives such as a plant cream.

“But for many, taking part in Veganuary may not be so easy, especially if it’s the first time you’ve tried to swap out dairy and meat products and are not used to plant-based cooking.”

THE TOP 40 FOODS BRITS WOULD MISS MOST IF THEY WENT VEGAN

1. Cheese

2. Eggs

3. Milk

4. Roast chicken

5. Fish and chips

6. Chocolate

7. Bacon sandwich

8. Bread

9. Pizza

10. Sausages

11. Butter

12. Roast beef

13. Steak

14. Scrambled egg

15. Lasagne

16. Roast turkey

17. Salmon

18. Cheesecake

19. Pigs in blankets

20. Sausage rolls

21. Cottage pie

22. Shepherd’s pie

23. Beef stew

24. Omelette

25. Cream

26. Fish fingers

27. Pork chops

28. Chocolate brownies

29. Doughnuts

30. Steak and kidney pie

31. Lamb shank

32. Meatballs

33. Pancakes

34. Mac and cheese

35. Beef curry

36. Hot dogs

37. Quiche

38. Pulled pork

39. Chicken nuggets

40. Pepperoni

SWNS