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Plant-Based Eating in 2025: Is It Still on the Rise?

by Vorst Canada
Plant-Based Eating in 2025 Is It Still on the Rise

 

Eating plants isn't new, but it is changing. What used to seem like a small movement has become a big change that is still gaining ground, especially in 2025. So, is this trend starting to slow down, or is it just getting started? The quick answer is that it's here to stay, but it's also changing in unexpected ways.

Disclaimer: This content is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Table of Contents

  • Why Plant-Based Eating Took Off
  • Where the Trend Stands in 2025
  • Key Drivers of the Plant-Based Movement
  • Common Challenges and Myths
  • What Plant-Based Eating Really Looks Like Today

Why Plant-Based Eating Took Off

Plant-based diets grew from being a niche to a must-have in the last ten years. Millions of people in Canada and throughout the world started to rethink what they eat for health, ethical, or environmental reasons.

Documentaries, celebrity endorsements, and more people knowing about the health concerns of processed meats and diets high in saturated fat all helped make it popular at first. But it wasn't just hype; solid evidence revealed that doing it well might cut the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Where the Trend Stands in 2025

So, what do we have now? There are more people than only vegans and vegetarians in the plant-based movement. Most Canadians who say they are plant-based in 2025 are actually flexitarians, which means they eat largely plants but still eat some animal products from time to time.

A survey by Dalhousie University in 2024 found that more than 45% of Canadians said they were actively cutting back on meat, even if they weren't completely vegetarian. The biggest change? It's not just wellness influencers that want it anymore; younger people and families are too.

We're also seeing:

  • A rise in clean-label plant-based products (fewer additives, more recognizable ingredients)

  • Growth in whole food plant-based (WFPB) eating patterns

  • Expansion of plant-based offerings in restaurants, school cafeterias, and hospitals

Key Drivers of the Plant-Based Movement

What keeps this trend going strong in 2025?

1. Being aware of health
More Canadians are using plants to help with long-term health problems, lower inflammation, and support healthy aging. Diets high in plants are frequently lower in calories and saturated fats, but they are high in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants.

2. Worries about sustainability
One of the main reasons people want to consume less meat is because it is better for the environment. In general, plant-based diets consume fewer resources and have a smaller carbon footprint than animal-based foods. People who care about the environment are making smart choices at the store.

3. New ideas and easy access
There are no more boring vegetable burgers. You can now get oat milk soft-serve, jackfruit tacos, and lentil spaghetti at your neighbourhood grocery store. It's easier (and tastier) than ever to eat plant-based foods, even if it's just for a little while.

4. Growth of culture
Plant-based diets aren't just about tofu and greens anymore. As Canada's population becomes more diverse, plant-based foods from around the world, such as Ethiopian lentil stews, Indian dals, and Vietnamese tofu rolls, are becoming more popular and easier to get.

Common Challenges and Myths

Despite its popularity, plant-based eating isn’t without criticism—or confusion.

“You can’t get enough protein.”
This myth is still around, but it's not true anymore. Eating a variety of beans, lentils, soy, quinoa, hemp seeds, and even oats gives you a lot of protein. Also, plant-based protein supplements are now an accessible way for anyone who need a boost to get more protein.

“It’s too expensive.”
If you depend on fancy meat substitutes, it can be. But legumes, grains, potatoes, and vegetables that are in season are usually the cheapest mainstays at any grocery shop.

“It’s not for everyone.”
Yes, to a point. People with certain health problems or sensitivities, such as soy intolerance, may need to be more picky. In 2025, though, more people like flexible, all-inclusive ways of eating plant-based foods than rigorous dietary guidelines.

Quick Tip: Start with one plant-based meal per day—like a chickpea salad wrap for lunch or a veggie stir-fry for dinner—and build from there.

What Plant-Based Eating Really Looks Like Today

People who consume a lot of plants these days don't have to be vegans. In truth, most of them are somewhere in the middle, combining healthy habits with the ability to be flexible.

In 2025, "plant-based" means:

  • Not trying to be perfect, but focusing on plants first
  • Making meals with genuine foods instead of manufactured meat substitutes
  • Looking into flavours and ingredients from around the world
  • Thinking about where food originates from and how it affects the world

To reflect this diversity, Canadian supermarket stores like Loblaws and Sobeys are adding more plant-based foods to their shelves. They now have everything from sprouted grain bread to cashew cheese and mushroom jerky.

Conclusion: Still Rising, Just Smarter

Eating plants isn't simply a fad; it's a change in how we think about food, health, and the environment. In 2025, the movement is less about following tight rules and more about eating with purpose and knowledge.

In this changing food culture, there's room for your plate whether you're entirely plant-based or merely "plant-curious."

This week, try swapping beef for lentils or chickpeas in one of your favourite recipes. Or try a new plant-based recipe from another country. Your gut, heart, and the world will thank you.

References and Resources

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