More than 20% of British children are already vegan or would like to be, says survey - The Evesham Observer

More than 20% of British children are already vegan or would like to be, says survey

Evesham Editorial 23rd Sep, 2021   0

Children are leading the way when it comes to saving the planet through eating less meat, using less plastic and embracing new methods of food production reveals the latest annual BBC Good Food Nation survey.

The survey has surveyed children aged 5-16 about their attitudes to food, cooking and eating now and in the future.

The survey revealed 8% of children are following a vegan diet, and of those not following a vegan diet, 15% said they would like to.  Over one in 10 (13%) of children are vegetarian and 21% of children who are not currently vegetarian would like to be.

44% of children surveyed said they would like there to be no plastic packaging on food in 10 years’ time, however only 37% think this will happen.




A quarter (25%) of children surveyed said they would like to see food delivered by drones in 10 years’ time with the same percentage of children thinking this will happen

When surveyed about food in the future, 7% of children would like there to be an insect-based diet in 10 years’ time, and the same number think this will be the case.


The children surveyed were keen on spending time in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes and cooking – almost three-quarters of children (73%) said they would like to try different kinds of foods, and would like to cook more (74%) and bake more (77%) at home.

Christine Hayes, Editor of BBC Good Food, said:

“It was fascinating to survey children’s eating habits, behaviours and opinions around food.  The findings are revelatory and show that far from being fussy eaters, children want to take over the nation’s kitchens – baking and preparing meals, trying different kinds of foods. They are passionate about exploring alternative diets and methods of food production that could be more sustainable for the planet. However, they lack kitchen skills and food preparation experience in some areas which BBC Good Food will address in the coming months with a fun and practical learning programme.”

Top 10 findings – BBC Good Food Nation survey of children aged 5-16

  • 8% of children surveyed are following a vegan diet and 15% of those not following a vegan diet would like to.
  • 13% of children are vegetarian and 21% of children would like to be vegetarian.
  • Over 7 in 10 (73%) children surveyed agree they’d like to try different kinds of food, with just over 3 in 10 (31%) who strongly agree.
  • Two-thirds of children (68%) know how to make toast; just over half can use a microwave (55%), make a cup of tea or chop vegetables (51%).
  • During the pandemic, 59% of children said they had done some baking, and 36% cooked more with their parents.
  • 50% of children said they made their own breakfast during the pandemic, 46% made their own lunch and 25% made their own dinner.
  • Just under three quarters (74%) of children surveyed agree they’d like to cook more at home, with over 3 in 10 (32%) who strongly agree.
  • More than 2 in 5 (44%) children surveyed would like there to be no plastic packaging on food in 10 years’ time but less than 2 in 5 (37%) think this will happen.
  • A quarter (25%) of children surveyed would like to see food delivered by drones in 10 years’ time with the same percentage of children thinking this will happen.
  • 1 in 14 (7%) children surveyed would like there to be an insect-based diet in 10 years’ time with the same percentage of children thinking this will happen.

For more on the BBC Good Food Nation findings, go to www.bbcgoodfood.com/good-food-nation

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