A few years ago most of us didn’t even know what a vegan was. But today, you probably know at least a few people who are proud vegans. According to a 2012 study which was undertaken by Harris Interactive, the number of Americans who consider themselves vegan has doubled in the last 3 years.
So why has interest in veganism recently skyrocketed? You could point to many causes, but the rise in the popularity of veganism can be boiled down to four recent happenings:
1. The Organic Movement
Since the release of independent documentaries like Supersize Me and Food, Inc., people are beginning to ask what exactly is in the food they eat. Growing concern about genetically modified foods has the masses demanding knowledge from food suppliers.
Less people are frequenting fast food restaurants. Many are taking precautions to an extreme, adopting the simplest diets they can stick to. Veganism is a minimalist diet, but many who adopt it eventually abandon it after realizing their options are so limited.
2. Celebrity Support
Anne Hathaway, Bill Clinton, Natalie Portman, and Ellen DeGeneres are just a few among the many influential figures who have proclaimed their switch to the trendy diet.
DeGeneres, wanting to share practical advice for those interested in the diet, launched her website called Go Vegan with Ellen.
Reasons given by celebrities range from a support for animal rights activism, to avoiding the fat and cholesterol found in meat.
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster claimed last year that he feels much better when he avoids meat (but has since fallen off the wagon). Many of these celebrities hop on the vegan train when it is trending, but go back to diets they are more comfortable with over time.