Brussels residents increasingly “flexitarian”

According to a survey of 400 Brussels residents, conducted by Belgian environment association Eva (Ethical Vegetarian Alternative), 17.5% of the population in the Brussels-Capital Region eats vegetarian at least three times a week. This trend has contributed to the creation of a new concept: “flexitarians”, or semi-vegetarians, make a conscious effort to reduce their overall meat consumption.

Within the city of Brussels, the number of flexitarians has reached 14.5%, almost double what it was three years ago (7.8%) . An additional 3% of the respondents said they skip the meat and fish in their meals at least five times per week. Another 3.6% consider themselves fully vegetarian, vegan or pescetarian (include fish in their diets). In summary, more than one in five Brussels residents regularly omits meat and fish from their daily menus.

This is good news, according to Annemarie IJkema , Project Manager at Eva Brussels. "Now people are citing more positive reasons for choosing a meat- or fishless menu," she says. "This a very good development, because it means that vegetarianism is finally shaking off its dowdy, tree-hugger image."