Americans eat a ton of food each year. That’s not hyperbole. In 2011, USDA research found that average American eats about 1,966.3 pounds of food each year. Even more shocking are the type of foods that dominated this consumption: red meat, cheese, and soda. All foods associated with obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and other health ailments when consumed in excess.
But all is not lost. In recent years, Americans have become increasingly aware of problems in the food system. Issues of factory farming, chemical pesticide and fertilizer use, food safety regulation, and the impact of genetic engineering are plastered all over the Internet (and sometimes mainstream media too).
We’ve always been obsessed with diets, but now instead of jumping on the latest weight loss fad, a growing number of individuals are choosing styles of eating that complement their social and environmental beliefs. Styles of eating that are both a diet and a lifestyle, like veganism.
Related: What’s a Vegan Diet?
After existing on the fringes for decades, veganism is on the rise in America, which could explain why meat consumption has dipped slightly in recent years. Popular food documentaries like Food Inc. and Vegucated have helped to open many eyes to the ills of a meat and cheese based diet. Initiatives like Meatless Monday make it easy for individuals to ease their way into veganism, a tactic that 45% of all respondents in a recent survey said was instrumental in their eventual diet change. (And don’t worry, there are plenty of sources of vegan protein).
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Scroll through the infographic below for more information on this growing trend!