Portion Size Reductions Lead to Significant Drop in UK Meat Consumption, New Study Finds
A recent study published in Nature Food has shown that reducing meat portion sizes has had the most substantial impact on lowering overall meat consumption in the United Kingdom.
This analysis, which reviewed data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) from 2008 to 2019, found that smaller portions contributed to a 52% decrease in total meat intake over the period.
Other behavioral changes that contributed to this reduction included fewer meat-eating days, accounting for 24% of the decrease, while a decline in the number of meat consumers contributed 17% and fewer meat-eating occasions accounted for 7%.
“Reducing portion sizes of meat, particularly for red and processed meat, was the largest driver of recent meat consumption declines between 2008–2009 and 2018–2019,” the study’s authors highlighted, reinforcing the power of smaller portions in achieving the UK’s dietary and environmental goals.
The research shows that behavioral shifts across different demographics contributed to this downward trend in meat consumption.
While men and lower-income groups primarily reduced their intake by cutting portion sizes, women and higher-income groups leaned towards adopting meat-free days.
The data further revealed that the average daily meat consumption decreased from 103.4 grams to 86.2 grams per capita, driven by this shift towards more manageable portions.
According to the study, meat consumption behavior has profound implications for health and environmental sustainability.
By addressing portion size and reducing reliance on red and processed meats, UK policymakers can help meet the Climate Change Committee’s targets, which call for a 20% reduction in meat consumption by 2030, increasing to 35% by 2050.
In addition, the findings support “interventions and policies aimed at reducing meat portion sizes,” particularly for high-meat consumers, to further align dietary trends with health and climate goals.
These results show that even small changes in daily habits can contribute to substantial shifts in consumption patterns over time.
Want to learn more about simple changes that impact meat consumption? Check out our homepage for research and tips on reducing meat intake.
