Student Opinion | Eat less meat
Student opinions on eating meat
Methodology
Each month NUS conducts a Student Opinion survey to canvass the views of students on a number of topical issues. In July a section on eating habits and attitudes towards eating less meat was included.
A total of 2559 responses were received. The data has been weighted by gender according to statistics gathered nationally by the Higher Education Statistics
Agency. Whilst the data also includes respondents studying in further education, no statistics are available nationally which describe the demographic characteristics of the UK’s further education student population so in the absence of this data, HE equivalent data has been applied.
Statistically significant differences according to different demographics are
highlighted throughout the report.
Respondent demographics
58%
36%
6%
Higher Education
Further Education
Apprenticeship
GENDER IDENTITY
53% 45%
1%
6%
10%
15%
17%
37%
13%
60+
50-59 40-49 30-39 23-29 18-22 16-17
AGE
1% 1%
Woman Man
In another
way Not given
NATIONALITY
88% UK 6%
EU
NON-EU 4%
Results
3 in 4 respondents (73%) said that they eat everything. 1 in 10 (11%) claim to be flexitarian (they have already reduced the amount of meat in their diet). 8% are vegetarians and 3% are either vegan or pescatarian.
73%
13%
8%
3% 3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
I eat everything I’m a flexitarian (I have reduced the amount of meat in
my diet)
I’m vegetarian I’m vegan I’m pescatarian (I eat fish but no meat)
Thinking about the food you eat, which of the following statements apply to you?
Base: 2559 Balance: No response
UK students most likely to say this compared to EU and beyond EU
Students identifying as women most likely to say this
Students identifying as women most likely
to say this Students
identifying as women most likely to say this
A third of respondents who eat meat (32%) say they do so every day, 4 in 10 (40%) eat meat most days and 2 in 10 (20%) eat meat 2 or 3 times a week.
8% do so once a week or less often.
32%
40%
20%
5%
3%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Every day Most days Two to three times a
week Once a week Less than once a
week
Thinking about the meals you eat throughout the day, which of the following best describes how often you eat meat?
Base: 2203 Balance: Those who don’t eat meat, no response
• UK students most likely to say this compared to EU and beyond EU
• Male respondents most likely to say this
Overall, respondents are most motivated to eat less meat by the associated health benefits (53%). For vegans and vegetarians, the strongest motivations are linked to concerns about animal welfare (73%
vegetarians) and the environmental impact of meat production (62% vegetarians). Those that currently eat meat and have not reduced their consumption so far would be motivated by health benefits of
reduced consumption (50%), however 18% said they would not be willing to change at all.
4%
5%
14%
35%
36%
39%
45%
53%
2%
4%
18%
37%
37%
32%
37%
50%
17%
13%
1%
14%
31%
62%
73%
49%
14%
7%
2%
8%
20%
78%
84%
67%
6%
6%
1%
44%
39%
53%
63%
71%
14%
15%
1%
23%
41%
57%
64%
68%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other Religious reasons / preferences None of these – I wouldn’t be willing to change at all
To save money Concern about the quality or safety of meat products Concern about the impact of meat production on climate change
and the environment
Concern about the conditions in which animals are reared Health benefits associated with eating less meat / meat
products
Pescatarian (n=65) Flexitarian (n=345) Vegan (n=76) Vegetarian (n=214) Eat everything (n=1865) All respondents (n=2559)
Which of the following reasons would motivate you to eat less meat or at least make you consider doing so? If you have already made a change to eat less or no meat, please tell us what motivated you to do so.
Base: (in brackets) Balance: No response
“A better range of nonmeat. I often prefer nonmeat varieties of snack foods when the choice is there!”
“I don’t like the taste of meat.”
“I don't enjoy eating meat too much so I've just cut it out plus, meat is disgusting to
prepare!!!!!!”
“My mum raised me as a vegetarian, and it's just her and me so it was easier.”
Offering a greater range of meat-free options every day in catering outlets is seen as the best way of encouraging those who eat everything (46%) as well as those who have tried to cut back on meat
already (72%) to pick meat-free meals. Making sure meat-free options are offered at a lower price than meat alternatives would also encourage respondents who eat meat to make the switch to meat-free (38% those who eat everything, 54% flexitarian).
3%
14%
17%
27%
29%
34%
42%
52%
4%
1%
19%
26%
33%
52%
54%
72%
3%
17%
17%
27%
28%
32%
38%
46%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Other None of the above – Nothing would encourage me to buy
meat-free options
Designated days where no meals containing meat are available
Loyalty scheme which offered a free meal (that could contain meat) after a set number of purchases of meat-free meals A reward scheme where purchases of meat-free meals earned
points that could be spent on food
Greater range of high protein meat-free options Meat-free options always offered at a reduced price compared
to meals containing meat
Greater range of meat-free options offered every day
Flexitarian (n=345) Eat everything (n=1941) Overall (n=2205)
Imagine you were buying a meal in a catering outlet at your university or students’ union. Which of the following options do you think would most encourage you to pick a meal that contained no meat over one that did?
Base: 2205 Balance: Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescatarians and No response
Respondents who are men most likely to say this.
Women
respondents most likely to say this.
Women
respondents most likely to say this.
Women
respondents most likely to say this.
Amongst those not willing to change their diet to eat less meat, half (52%) say they have always eaten meat and don’t want to change. 45% prefer the taste of meat and don’t enjoy the taste of meat-free meals. 2 in 10 (20%) are concerned that a meat- free diet would not provide them with enough protein.
11%
2%
10%
20%
45%
52%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Other All my friends eat meat I don’t think my diet has a real impact on the
environment / climate change I am concerned that I wouldn’t get enough protein from a
meat-free diet
I prefer the taste of meat and I don’t think meat-free meals are as tasty
I’ve always eaten meat and don’t want to change
You said that you would not be willing to change your diet to eat less meat, please tell us why.
Base: 477 Balance: Those willing to change their diet to eat less meat, no response
