Reducing meat consumption and following plant-based diets: Current evidence and future directions to inform integrated transitions

Publication date: Available online 27 July 2019Source: Trends in Food Science & TechnologyAuthor(s): João Graça, Cristina Albuquerque Godinho, Monica TruningerAbstractBackgroundThere is increasing consensus that transitioning towards reduced meat consumption and more plant-based diets is a key feature to address important health and sustainability challenges. However, relevant evidence that may inform these transitions remains fragmented with no overarching rationale or theoretical framework, which limits the ability to design and deliver coordinated efforts to address these challenges.Scope and approachEleven databases were systematically searched using sets of keywords referring meat curtailment, meat substitution and plant-based diets, as well as consumer choice, appraisal or behavior (2602 articles selected for title and abstract screening; 161 full-texts assessed for eligibility; 110 articles selected for extraction and coding). Barriers and enablers were identified and integrated into an overarching framework (i.e., COM-B system), which conceptualizes behavior as being influenced by three broad components: capability, opportunity and motivation.Key findings and conclusions. This review mapped potential barriers and enablers in terms of capability, opportunity, and motivation to reduce meat consumption and follow more plant-based diets. These included lack of information for consumers and difficulty to acquire new cooking skills (barrier, capability), changes in servic...

Source: Trends in Food Science and Technology - July 28, 2019 Category: Food Science Source Type: research