- Eighty-seven percent of Canadians have omnivorous diets, while one in ten have adopted vegetable-based eating habits.
- Younger Canadians are more likely to consume wholly plant-based diets than their older counterparts.
March 4, 2022
As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing concern, more focus is being placed on how the continued consumption of meat and dairy contributes to its effects. We asked Canadians not only how they would describe their diet at present, but also how they would describe their diet this time last year. Both at present and in 2021, the vast majority of Canadians (87%) describe themselves as omnivores, eating meat, dairy and vegetables. Meanwhile, one in ten (10% in 2022 and 11% in 2021), eat vegetable-based diets, considering themselves vegetarian (4% vs. 5% in 2021), pescatarian (4% vs. 5% in 2021), or vegan (2% in both years). The past year does not reflect a trend away from the consumption of meat and animal byproducts, but rather, consistency in the proportion of Canadians that choose a more non-traditional diet.
Across provinces, residents in Newfoundland and Labrador are most likely to have an omnivorous diet (96%). Additionally, women are less likely than men to consume a typical North American diet of meat, dairy and vegetables (85% compared to 91%).
The largest differences in eating habits occur between age groups, where Generation Z (aged 18-24) are notably less likely to have an omnivorous diet (76%), while Generation X (aged 35-54) are most likely (91%). In addition, 18–24-year-olds are the most likely demographic to eat a vegan diet (6%) or a pescatarian diet (8%) and are tied with those aged 25-34 for most likely to be vegetarian (7%). Although there is not a clear shift away from consumption of meat and dairy year-over-year, these findings point toward a trend as younger demographics adopt plant-based diets at a higher rate than their older counterparts.
Results shown are from a survey conducted online between February 11 and 13, 2022, with 1,232 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every month, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The questions included in this press release were the following:
Which best describes what you eat?
- Omnivore – eat meat, dairy, vegetables
- Vegetarian – eat only plant-based foods and dairy, (no meat)
- Pescatarian – eat plant-based foods, dairy, fish, but not other kinds of meat
- Vegan – eat plant-based foods (no meat or dairy)
- Other
A year ago (i.e., in February 2021) how would you have described yourself?
- Omnivore – eat meat, dairy, vegetables
- Vegetarian – eat only plant-based foods and dairy, (no meat)
- Pescatarian – eat plant-based foods, dairy, fish, but not other kinds of meat
- Vegan – eat plant-based foods (no meat or dairy)
- Other
For more information, contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.222.7066, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.
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