The rise of plant-based eating has seen tremendous growth in recent years.
In 2019, 42% of Australians reported eating less meat, with 12.1% following a plant-predominant diet.
By 2023, plant-based eating has become mainstream, no longer confined to niche groups. The surge in plant-based alternatives is driven by their positive impacts on sustainability and animal welfare, with the plant-based food market reaching a remarkable $7 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2019.
Over just two years, plant-based food sales increased by a staggering 43%, more than double the growth of total food sales from 2018 to 2020.
As plant-based eating gains popularity, confusion over terms like vegan, plant-based, plant-exclusive, and plant-predominant is common.
Let’s clear that up and break down the terminology as it’s used in the scientific literature to ensure clarity.
The distinction
Vegan Label
A vegan diet avoids all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and fish. While it’s often associated with ethical principles, it's important to remember that vegan doesn’t always equal healthy. Many processed vegan foods, like burgers and fries, are not necessarily nutritious. A vegan diet is about ethical eating but doesn’t guarantee a health-conscious lifestyle.
Plant-Based Label
A plant-based diet focuses on whole-food plants. Scientifically, this can range from 85% to 100% of your diet being plant-based.
"Plant-exclusive" means 100% plant-based, while "plant-predominant" means that at least 85% of your diet is plant-based, with minor inclusions of fish, eggs, or lean meats.
Variations of plant-based diets include vegetarian, pescatarian, and Mediterranean diets, all of which focus on plants but allow for small amounts of other foods.
What does science support?
Scientific research consistently supports a diet where at least 85% of your energy intake comes from plant-based whole foods.
Whether you follow a vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan diet, the key is ensuring that plants are the cornerstone of your meals.
This approach promotes longevity and optimal health by providing essential nutrients and antioxidants found in plant-based foods.
The bottom line
Transitioning to a plant-based diet can be overwhelming, but it’s about finding what works for you, whether you choose a plant-exclusive or plant-predominant approach.
No matter where you are on your journey, Radiquel is here to support you. Whether it's through the form of finding inspiration from our nutritionist-approved plant-based Recipe eBooks, diving into our structured and nutritionally optimised 3-Week Plant-Based Meal Guide, or getting 1-1 individualised support via a consultation, where here for you!