Source: MEATINGPLACE, 3/3/16

After surveying Americans to see if messages encouraging people to eat less meat are changing dietary habits, National Public Radio (NPR) has concluded that the impact has been negligible.

NPR commissioned a survey of 3,000 Americans and compared the results with a similar poll it conducted three years ago. It found a slight drop (to 32 percent from 39 percent) in the number of people who said they were eating less meat, even though 30 percent of respondents said recent publicity linking processed meats to a higher cancer risk had caused them to change their eating habits.

“In a nutshell, Americans' meat-eating habits haven't shifted much,” concluded NPR’s “The Salt” blog.

NPR’s poll, conducted in December by Truven Health Analytics, found 7.4 percent of people eat no meat during a typical week, down only slightly from 2012. Fifty-one percent said they eat meat one to four times a week, and 38 percent said they eat it five or more times a week.

“Bottom line: There may be a growing chorus of veggie cheerleaders, but don't assume everyone is influenced by them,” the article concluded.

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