Researchers asked 241 college students in rural Poland about their views on vegetarian and vegan diets. They found that most students weren’t interested in eating less meat, though women were more open to the idea than men. Many students thought plant-based diets were expensive and hard to follow, even though meat substitutes were actually easy to find. The study suggests that teaching young people about the health and environmental benefits of plant-based eating could help change their minds, especially in traditional communities where old eating habits are deeply rooted.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Do college students in rural Poland know about and want to try vegetarian or vegan diets?
  • Who participated: 241 students from a university in rural Poland who completed an anonymous survey about their eating habits and beliefs
  • Key finding: Only 3 out of 241 students were vegetarian or vegan. About 56% of students said they didn’t want to eat less meat. However, women were much more willing to reduce meat (39%) compared to men (15%).
  • What it means for you: If you live in a traditional community, changing your diet to include more plants might feel difficult because of local food culture. However, education about the benefits could help. This finding mainly applies to rural areas with strong traditional eating patterns.

The Research Details

Researchers created a survey and asked 241 college students in rural Poland to answer questions about what they knew and thought about vegetarian and vegan diets. The survey was anonymous, meaning students didn’t have to write their names, so they could answer honestly. The researchers then looked at the answers to see if certain groups of students (like men versus women, or health students versus other majors) had different opinions about plant-based eating.

This type of study is called a cross-sectional survey because it takes a snapshot of what people think at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. The researchers weren’t trying to change anyone’s diet; they were just asking questions and analyzing the patterns in the answers.

Understanding what young people think about plant-based diets is important because their eating habits now will shape their health and the planet’s health in the future. By knowing what barriers exist (like thinking it’s too expensive) and who is most open to change (like women and health students), educators and health professionals can create better programs to encourage healthier eating. This is especially important in rural areas where traditional food habits are strong.

This study has some strengths: it asked real students real questions and got honest answers because it was anonymous. However, it only looked at students in one rural area of Poland, so the results might not apply to students in cities or other countries. The study is also a snapshot in time, not a long-term follow-up, so we don’t know if students’ opinions changed later. The researchers didn’t try to change anyone’s behavior, just observe what they thought.

What the Results Show

The biggest finding was that most students weren’t interested in eating less meat. About 56% said they were unwilling to reduce their meat consumption. However, this number was very different between men and women: only 15% of men said they’d be willing to eat less meat, while 39% of women said they would. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

When researchers looked at students who already avoided some meat products, they found these students were much more willing to eat less meat (68%) compared to students who ate meat regularly (25%). This makes sense because people who already avoid meat have probably thought more about plant-based eating.

Students also had some misconceptions about plant-based diets. About 57% thought vegetarian and vegan diets were more expensive than regular diets. About 75% thought they were harder to follow. Interestingly, when asked about meat substitutes like plant-based burgers, about 62% of students said these products were easy to find in stores.

The study found that women and students studying health-related subjects had better knowledge about the benefits of plant-based diets compared to other groups. Very few students (only 14%) had heard of the term ‘planetary health diet,’ which refers to eating in ways that are good for both human health and the environment. This suggests that education about sustainable eating is not reaching most students.

This study fits with other research showing that women are generally more interested in plant-based eating than men, and that people who already avoid some animal products are more open to eating more plants. The finding that people think plant-based diets are expensive is common in many countries, even though research often shows they can be affordable. The low awareness of ‘planetary health diet’ suggests this concept hasn’t been widely taught yet, especially in rural areas.

This study only looked at students in one rural Polish university, so the results might be different in cities or other countries with different food cultures. The study only asked students what they thought at one point in time, so we don’t know if their opinions changed later or if they actually changed their eating habits. Only 3 students were vegetarian or vegan, which is a very small number to learn from. The study didn’t explore why students felt the way they did in depth, so we’re missing some important context about their beliefs.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, education programs about plant-based eating may be helpful, especially in rural communities (moderate confidence). These programs should focus on showing that plant-based diets can be affordable and easy to follow, since many students incorrectly believed they were expensive and difficult. Programs might be especially effective if they target young people and emphasize both health and environmental benefits (moderate confidence). However, this is just one study in one location, so more research is needed before making strong recommendations.

This research is most relevant to educators, health professionals, and policymakers in rural areas who want to promote healthier eating. It’s also useful for anyone creating nutrition education programs for young adults. If you live in a traditional community and are interested in eating more plants, this study suggests you might face cultural barriers, but education and awareness of the benefits could help. This study is less relevant to people in urban areas or those already interested in plant-based eating.

Changing eating habits takes time. If you decide to eat more plants based on this research, you shouldn’t expect to see major changes overnight. Most nutrition experts suggest it takes several weeks to months to develop new eating habits. Starting small (like having one plant-based meal per week) and gradually increasing is usually more successful than making big changes all at once.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of plant-based meals you eat per week and note which ones you enjoyed. For example: ‘Monday lunch: vegetable stir-fry - 8/10 enjoyment’ or ‘Wednesday dinner: bean chili - 7/10 enjoyment.’ This helps you see progress and identify which plant-based meals you actually like.
  • Start with one plant-based meal per week instead of trying to change everything at once. Use the app to find affordable plant-based recipes and set a weekly reminder to try one new recipe. You could also use the app to track the cost of your plant-based meals to prove to yourself that they don’t have to be expensive.
  • Over the next month, track how many plant-based meals you eat and how you feel (energy level, digestion, mood). After a month, review your data to see if you notice any patterns. This helps you understand if eating more plants is working for you and keeps you motivated to continue.

This research describes attitudes and knowledge about plant-based diets among college students in rural Poland and should not be considered medical advice. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have health conditions, allergies, or take medications, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This study reflects the views of one group of students at one point in time and may not apply to all populations. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, activity level, and other factors.