There are still many misconceptions about plant-based food in the Netherlands. This is apparent from research carried out on behalf of Upfield. For example, many Dutch people mistakenly believe that plant-based alternatives to meat, fish or dairy are always highly processed (29%), a plant-based diet is difficult (28%) and moreover more expensive than a diet with more meat (28%). Others have the impression that a plant-based diet leads to iron deficiency, does not provide enough energy and is not compatible with sports. In addition to these myths surrounding plant-based eating, the study of 1,097 adults also reveals confusion about healthy fats. For example, almost half (48%) do not know the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats. 1 in 5 (21%) think that you can lower cholesterol with saturated fats in the diet. This lack of knowledge can lead to other wrong assumptions:as many as 39% think that butter offers many health benefits for the body.
Top 10 myths about plant-based eating
More vegetables and less meat:in the Netherlands there is growing attention for the protein transition, in other words a shift from animal to (more) vegetable consumption of proteins. However, a number of Dutch consumers have negative ideas about plant-based foods:
Vegetable alternatives to meat, fish or dairy are always highly processed (29%)
A plant-based diet is difficult (28%)
A plant-based diet is more expensive than a meat-based diet (28%)
A plant-based diet is monotonous (22%)
A plant-based diet leads to iron deficiency (21%)
A plant-based diet provides not enough energy (19%)
A plant-based diet is not compatible with (top) sports (18%)
Vegetable meals are not filling (13%)
Vegetable food has no taste (9%) )
1 in 4 Dutch people never check ingredient label
The research takes a closer look at a plant-based product that has been in Dutch cuisine for 150 years:margarine. Although 74% of the Dutch state that they usually have it in the fridge, no less than 43% do not know what margarine is made of. 1 in 3 Dutch (34%) mistakenly believe that it is made from milk. Strangely enough, 21% think that butter is plant-based. One explanation may lie in the negative perception people have of processed foods. For example, 33% wrongly believe that processed food always contains unnecessary additives and 45% that processed food always contains artificial ingredients. Information and advice about nutrition is mainly obtained on the internet (37%) and TV programs about food and cooking (30%), more than from the Nutrition Center (27%). In addition, 24% almost never look at the labels of food products to find out which ingredients are in a product.
Healthy fats versus unhealthy fats
The lack of knowledge about what we eat can have adverse effects on health. No less than 48% of the Dutch people surveyed are not sure what the difference is between saturated and unsaturated fats. 1 in 5 mistakenly believe that saturated fats can lower cholesterol and 1 in 4 (26%) believe that all margarine contains harmful trans fats. In addition, 51% of the respondents think that butter contains less unhealthy fats. This while trans fats are naturally present in animal products such as meat, cheese and butter.
For a better environment
Although 82% say it is important to make environmentally conscious choices when it comes to buying food, a lack of knowledge seems to stand in the way of a sustainable purchase from the butter shelf. More than half (56%) do not know whether margarine or butter has less impact on the climate. “This while the impact between plant-based and dairy is quite different,” says Marleen Koning, communications manager at Upfield. “Compared to dairy products, our plant-based margarines and spreads result on average in a 70% reduction in carbon footprint, two-thirds less land use per year and half less water.” 1 More awareness could lead to more sustainable choices:60% of the respondents would consider buying margarine instead of butter from now on if they knew that margarine is better for the environment.
