Depending on which region you are in Italy, you automatically eat vegetarian (or vegan). In fact, the number of people who are consciously and exclusively vegan or vegetarian in Italy is rather small and depends on the region.
Buon Appetito! All about Mangiare in Italy
1 in 100 Italians eat vegan, 5 in 100 Italians eat vegetarian. The majority of meatless eaters in Italy are between the ages of mid-20s and mid-30s. Italy's seniors are the least likely to give up cheese, meat and fish. Only 1 in 500 pensioners in Italy lives vegan.
Photo by Federico Ramirez on Pexels.com
The proportion of women and men is about the same. In the greater Milan area, Sardinia and Sicily, meatless eating is most common. The three main reasons for meatless eating: 1. personal philosophy of life, 2. health reasons and 3. respect for animals. These are the results of a survey by the market researcher Eurispes.
When buying food online, Italian shoppers usually opt for healthy food, as the Coop Report 2021 shows. Sales of vegetarian products increased by 127 percent, those of vegan products by 90 percent.
Food is known to play a big role in Italy. Dishes and recipes are passed down through generations. This is probably why the willingness to change ingredients is rather low, as a study by ProVeg shows: One in five Italians, for example, has no interest in trying vegan cheese, according to a survey by ProVeg. About one in 10 would try vegan cheese if it tasted the same in texture and taste as conventional cheese.
Typical Vegan Dishes from Cologne
Vegetarian dishes are at home on any "normal" Italian menu. But even with vegan alternatives, you actually have a good choice in traditional Italian cuisine. Here are just three examples:
Spaghetti aglio e olio
- Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil, sometimes also with parsley and chillies
Bruschetta
- Toasted bread with tomatoes, spices and olive oil
Pizza Marinara
- Pizza without cheese, but with spicy tomato sauce and oregano
Cheap flights to Italy: Look here Ad
Ad
booking.comMore stories from Italy
- Olive oil from Italy - All about the green gold
Italy and the olive trees, an ancient love story. Italian cuisine without olive oil is unimaginable. Today, olives are a billion-dollar business. - Where everyone wants to go! - The 10 most popular cities in ItalyForewarning: Could get fuller, especially in summer! The 10 most popular cities and places in Italy: This is where many people would like to go (at least) once in their lives...
- SOPHIA LOREN - The story of a super divaSophia Loren (88), the super diva from Italy, A skinny girl from Naples who becomes Hollywood's favourite. In show business for 60 years.
- MEATLESS IN ITALY - Everything for vegans and vegetariansDepending on which region you are in Italy, you automatically eat vegetarian (or vegan). Everything you need to know about vegans and vegetarians in Italy...
- RESEARCHED! - Why Italy speaks with its handsFull body effort is also required when speaking in Italy. Scientists have discovered why people in Bella Italia talk with their hands.
- CHEESE LOVE - Buffalo mozzarella, burrata or fior di latte?It's almost a feeling of being in love when you bite into mozzarella: Fresh, creamy milk flavour, delicately melting aromas. Seduction in white.
- HOLIDAY IN RIMINI - The whole story of the Adriatic legendQuietly and secretly, the legendary place on the Adriatic has given itself a facelift. So much for 80s fustiness and permanent parties. Rimini, the whole story.
- EMOZIONI! - Italian hits to sing along withGoosebumps, longing and memories you didn't even have. There are the Italian songs that go straight to the heart.
Cheap travel in Italy by bus and train Ad
written by Annie Kayser, first published on 24 November 2022
Title - Collage: ALEA images/Getty Images Signature via canva. com
