Abstract
An important current trend is the healthy and sustainable lifestyle and consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, the healthiness of plant-based diets is not well understood by the general population or food professionals, and only a small proportion of the Hungarian population (1.1 %) follows a vegetarian diet because of sociocultural reasons (attachment to meat). This paper explores the main knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions about plant-based diets (PBDs) among Hungarians. Behavioral change towards a more plant-based diet is slow and influenced by attitudes. In an online survey (n=397), four different factors related to beliefs about PBDs could be distinguished: (1) health and environmental issues, (2) lack of nutrients, (3) forbidden foods 1, and (4) forbidden foods. People are aware of the different types of plant-based diets (vegetarian, vegan) and the positive and negative psychological effects. The associations of plant-based diets are: healthy, environmentally friendly, and expensive. However, only a small part of the Hungarian population follows a plant-based diet, while the diverse and daily consumption of fruits and vegetables is essential for health and sustainability reasons. This study has the potential to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge regarding plant-based diets, which is essential for tailoring educational initiatives, formulating effective interventions, and ultimately advocating for healthier and more sustainable dietary preferences.
