Everyone wants to protect animals, but Germany has hardly any vegans - that's the reason

In Germany, the numbers—depending on the survey—are just 2 to 3 percent of the population who classify themselves as vegans. In the EU, the figure is between 0.5 and 4 percent. Therefore, more than 95 percent eat animal products. But no one wants to see suffering animals that ultimately have to die for their children's sandwich spread or their own lunch.

No one wants to be responsible for the death of an animal. Hardly anyone wants to kill or slaughter one themselves.

Why do 98 percent of Germans still eat animal products that largely come from conventional factory farming with the lowest state minimum standards for animal welfare (categories 1 and 2)?

One obvious assumption is that a vegan diet isn't intuitively possible. This means that those who abstain from all animal products can no longer eat "freely" and enjoyably according to their physical needs and urges, and can no longer rely on their body's signals of hunger and desire .

A vegan eating style requires thinking, reading, calculating, acquiring knowledge and testing, testing, testing, to find out how to achieve the perfect nutrient supply without animal products - maybe... Because sometimes, even with the best planning, you absolutely need additional pills (e.g. vitamin B12).

All of this is restrictive, regimented, and unsettling, and can lead to nutrient deficiencies and illness – especially if you're unfamiliar with the "vegan alternative world" and eat the wrong things. Therefore, all medical organizations unanimously advise against a vegan diet for children – because permanent damage, especially neurological damage, is a risk if parents get it wrong!

Vegans probably can't do all of this. There are currently no specific studies that explicitly scientifically prove or disprove that vegans can intuitively eat a wholesome diet despite avoiding animal products.

Vegans therefore have to calculate: Which plant-based foods provide me with which nutrients? And how much do I actually need, when, and in which phases of life? Where do I need to supplement with pills? This can become extremely exhausting in the long run.

There are about 30 essential nutrients alone, meaning we need these substances to live and must consume them through food. These include essential fatty acids and amino acids – the latter are the building blocks of proteins. In addition, there are vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and macronutrients that we absolutely must consume.

No one can calculate all of these nutrients in combination for themselves—nor can they eat according to this table. This is impossible without losses and risks—at least in the long term, for life.

Most omnivores don't count or calculate. They simply eat, enjoy, trust their intuition—and they are adequately nourished. This is the crucial difference:

Vegans can't eat intuitively. Vegans eat primarily based on their minds. That's exhausting.

Even though there is no survey that asks representatively: "If you could eat a diet free from animal suffering, i.e., without an animal having to suffer and die for your food, and this new diet provided just as sufficient nutrients as animal-based foods at the same level of enjoyment and cost, would you choose the animal-suffering and animal-death-free diet or would you continue to eat animals/animal-based foods?", we do have some indications in this direction:

Uwe Knop, born in 1972, is a nutritionist, author, and speaker for professional associations, companies, and medical training courses. His new book , "FINALLY Eating Right," was published in August 2024.

While we may not find an exact survey with this wording, the results of numerous studies indicate that a significant portion of the population would be willing to eat a cruelty-free diet if the aforementioned conditions (equal enjoyment, cost, and nutritional value) were met. This underscores the importance of developing and marketing attractive plant-based and other cruelty-free alternatives. Therefore, much still needs to happen here if the propagated "dietary revolution" is to be successful!

In addition, there are several surveys and studies that similarly examine people's willingness to adopt a plant-based or cruelty-free diet under certain conditions. While the exact question formulated above may not appear in this form in every survey, many studies aim to assess the acceptance and motives for or against reducing the consumption of animal products.

Here are some examples of survey types and their results that come close to this "Gretchen question":

1. Surveys on the acceptance of cultured meat: These surveys often ask about the willingness to consume meat produced in a laboratory without animal cruelty. The results tend to show a significant willingness to do so, especially when the taste, price, and nutritional value are comparable to conventional meat.
2. Studies on the motives for and against vegan/vegetarian diets: These studies examine the reasons why people choose or oppose a plant-based diet. Animal welfare is often an important factor for those who follow a plant-based diet. Conversely, taste, habit, and the perceived necessity of animal products are cited as reasons for consumption.
3. Scenario-based surveys: Some studies present respondents with hypothetical scenarios in which plant-based alternatives are equivalent to animal products in terms of taste, price, and nutritional value. In such scenarios, many people show an increased willingness to choose plant-based options, often with the aim of reducing animal suffering and environmental impact.
4. Market research studies on plant-based alternatives: The growing interest in and consumption of plant-based alternatives to meat, milk, etc. also indicate an increasing willingness to replace animal products if the alternatives are convincing.

1. Animal welfare as an important factor: Animal suffering is a relevant ethical aspect for many people when choosing food.
2. Conditions are crucial: The acceptance of plant-based or cruelty-free options increases significantly when they are comparable to animal products in terms of taste, price, availability and nutritional value.
3. Reservations remain: Despite the willingness, reservations remain, often related to taste expectations, habits, and the perceived "naturalness" of animal products.

It remains an interesting question why the proportion of vegans in Germany is relatively low, despite a potential fundamental preference for animal-free eating. In addition to the "impossibility" of intuitive eating—the most natural form of human nutrition—there are other potential explanations that shed light on this phenomenon.

1. Taste expectations and preferences: Many people have developed taste preferences for animal products over years or decades. The taste of meat, cheese, milk, and eggs is deeply embedded in personal and cultural food history. Plant-based alternatives can vary in taste and don't always offer the same sensory experiences.
2. Habit and convenience: Eating animal products is the norm for most people in Germany. Recipes, eating habits among family and friends, and the offerings in supermarkets and restaurants are often geared towards this. A change requires an active engagement with new foods and preparation methods, which can be perceived as time-consuming.

1. Social norms and traditions: Animal products play a central role in many traditional German dishes and food cultures. Communal meals and celebrations often focus on them. A vegan diet can be perceived as "different" and pose difficulties in social adjustment.
2. Peer pressure and social identity: Diet is often part of social identity. People identify with certain food cultures and groups. A vegan diet can mean distancing oneself from these groups.
3. Lack of role models and information: Although awareness is growing, there may still be a lack of sufficiently visible and positive role models in the immediate community who demonstrate an attractive and uncomplicated vegan lifestyle. Information about a balanced vegan diet may also not be easily accessible or understandable for everyone.

1. Perceived effort and limitations: Many people fear that a vegan diet will involve a lot of effort in planning, shopping and preparing meals and will lead to limitations in food choices (e.g., eating out).
2. Cost: While plant-based staples are often inexpensive, specialized vegan substitutes can be more expensive than their animal-based counterparts. This can be a barrier for those on a limited budget.
3. Availability and selection: Although the range of vegan products is steadily growing, it may still be limited in some rural areas or in certain supermarkets. Vegan options in restaurants are also not always diverse and appealing.

1. Fear of nutrient deficiencies: Many people are unsure whether a purely plant-based diet can adequately provide all the necessary nutrients and fear deficiencies. This concern can be exacerbated by inadequate or conflicting information.
2. Perceived complexity: Information about a wholesome vegan diet with potentially critical nutrients (such as vitamin B12, iron, omega-3 fatty acids) can be perceived as complex and daunting.
3. Disinformation and prejudice: There are still prejudices and misinformation about the vegan diet that are widespread among the population and can make it difficult to choose this diet.

1. Feeling of loss: Giving up favorite foods can be perceived as a loss and cause psychological resistance.
2. Lack of motivation: Although the ethical argument regarding animal suffering is understandable for many, personal motivation may not be sufficient to change deeply rooted eating habits.
3. Resistance to change: In general, many people find it difficult to make major lifestyle changes, even if they recognize the potential benefits.

Conclusion: It is a complex interplay of these various factors that leads to the proportion of vegans in Germany being relatively low, despite a possible fundamental preference for freedom from animal cruelty.

The actual willingness and the translation of this willingness into concrete behavior are shaped by these diverse influences. Only when a vegan diet becomes completely intuitive and "without sacrifice" will the proportion increase significantly. And that is precisely the mammoth task of the nutritional revolution. Until then, healthy eating is made easy if you follow these three simple rules that everyone should know .

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.