A new national survey reveals that while many Americans are willing to eat more plant-based foods and believe in their health benefits, most are not receiving support from healthcare professionals.
The poll, conducted by Morning Consult and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), surveyed 2,200 adults. It found that half of respondents believe a vegan diet can improve their health, while about a third disagreed. Seventeen percent were unsure.
“The missing piece is guidance from healthcare professionals,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian with the PCRM. “This is a major lost opportunity to help people act on their interest in plant-based diets and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”
Despite growing interest, only 1% of Americans follow a vegan diet, and just 1% identify as lacto-ovo vegetarians. Most respondents—91%—eat meat at least once a week, and 88% regularly consume dairy. In contrast, 28% said they rarely or never eat seafood.
Support for plant-based diets is strongest among younger generations, college graduates, high-income earners, non-white populations, urban residents, and Democrats.
However, just 20% of respondents reported that their primary care doctor has ever discussed the benefits of a vegan diet with them. Those who have had such conversations are more likely to be young, male, Black or Hispanic, and live in urban areas. Meanwhile, 57% said their doctor has never addressed the topic.
Toledo emphasized the impact of evidence-based education. When people are shown scientific proof of the health benefits of plant-based eating, willingness to try a vegan diet rises by 15 percentage points—bringing total interest to 65%.
This increase is consistent across genders, but more common among young, college-educated individuals who earn over $50,000 a year, vote Democrat, and identify as Black or Hispanic. Only 26% said that even with this evidence, their eating habits wouldn’t change.
Experts say the medical field needs to catch up with public interest. “Most healthcare education is still built around omnivorous diets,” said Dr. Shireen Kassam, a consultant haematologist and director of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK. “There’s little nutrition training in medical programs, and even less on plant-based nutrition.”
Her comments were in response to a recent study showing that only 72% of midwives feel prepared to advise pregnant patients on plant-based diets. She added that more training for doctors and dietitians is urgently needed, especially as plant-based diets grow in popularity and are recognized for their environmental and health benefits.
The survey comes amid heightened focus on health in the U.S., driven in part by the post-COVID wellness trend and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.
At the same time, the plant-based food industry is facing challenges. U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra has criticized ultra-processed foods and “fake meats.” Sales of meat alternatives dropped 7% last year, and non-dairy milk sales declined by 5%.
Meanwhile, beef is regaining popularity, fueled by online male influencer communities, backlash against processed foods, misinformation about alternative proteins, and growing political divides. Cultivated meat is now banned in five U.S. states, with more considering similar laws.
Still, there is clear public interest in plant-based eating. A previous Morning Consult and PCRM survey found that 48% of Americans would try vegan food to reduce their environmental impact.
More broadly, health is emerging as a leading reason people change their diets. A 2023 American Heart Association study found that 77% of Americans want to eat healthier. Another recent survey showed that 48% view plant-based foods as healthier than animal proteins, and 45% want to eat less meat and dairy for personal health reasons—a 7% increase from 2023.
Even among meat-eaters open to trying plant-based options, 43% said health is a top reason for choosing both meat and alternatives. A third believe vegan products are better for heart health.
This belief is backed by science. A recent Harvard study and a review across 11 countries found that plant-based meat and dairy alternatives offer equal or better nutrition compared to animal products. A 2023 meta-analysis of two million people linked plant-based diets to lower risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and premature death.
Plant proteins are also a focus in the upcoming update to the U.S. national dietary guidelines, with scientists urging the Department of Agriculture to prioritize plant-based foods over meat.
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