Interested in uncovering the common misconceptions held by non-vegans, experts at ChewsyGum.com surveyed 3,739 non-vegans around the world to see what they really think….

Now we have heard a lot of misconceptions here at VeggieVision TV over the years….. however with more and more people cutting out meat and dairy there has never been a better time to join us! 

With an estimated 75 million vegans worldwide, many of us are making the shift to a plant-based lifestyle. Despite this, lots of meat-eaters are still unaware of the action’s vegans take to ensure their diets are not compromised.

Of the meat-eaters surveyed, a whopping 57% would consider becoming vegan, with only 43% opposing. However, 22% disagree with others leading a vegan lifestyle and 6% are put off by those who do so! 

After this, the team were keen to determine which strange misconceptions are held by non-vegans, and it appears that false facts are altering people’s views on vegan lifestyles. 

The most commonly believed statement is that ‘going vegan doesn’t save the planet’, with 77% agreeing. Although there are many other factors that help the environment, being vegan is definitely one of them!

In second place is the idea that ‘veganism is expensive’ with over 7 in 10 (72%) respondents believing so. This common misconception puts many people off a vegan lifestyle and isn’t necessarily true.

‘Vegans can’t eat bread’ (68%) is in third place, followed by ‘vegans can eat honey’ (65%) in fourth and ‘vegans aren’t healthy’ (61%) in fifth. 

Interestingly, 1 in 20 non-vegans think those living a vegan lifestyle can eat meat, 16% think they can eat cheese and 1% believe that they can’t eat bananas! 

34% said that ‘vegans pretend to enjoy their food’ and 10% think that ‘vegans are less sexually active than meat-eaters’. 

George Driscoll, vegan and owner of sustainable travel Instagram account @immyandgeorge, gave his opinion on the common misconceptions:

“I think some people can think veganism is lavish and expensive, but really beans on toast with some flora on the bread is a cheap vegan lunch. Even a red lentil dhal is vegan most of the time, and they’re both incredibly cheap to make. Vegans care a lot about animals and the planet and want neither of them to die due to human actions.”

Methodology:

Chewsygum.com surveyed 3,739 non-vegans in August 2020 asking them the following questions:

  1. Do you know anyone living a vegan lifestyle?
  2. Would you ever become vegan?
  3. Do you agree with others having a vegan diet?
  4. Are you put off by a person once you discover they’re vegan?
  5. Do you think it’s healthy for a child to be vegan?
  6. Please select all statements you believe about vegans.
  • ‘Veganism doesn’t save the planet’ is the most believed misconception, with 77% believing so.
  • ‘It’s expensive’ (72%) and ‘vegans aren’t healthy’ (61%) are also among the myths most believed 
  • 1 in 20 think vegans can eat meat and 10% think they’re less sexually active than meat-eaters
  • Interestingly, 1 in 5 disagree with others leading a vegan lifestyle