A third of Britons now eat less meat or none at all, with one in eight now identifying as vegan or vegetarian, according to a report.
A further fifth of consumers (21 per cent) describe themselves as "flexitarian" - eating increasing amounts of plant-based meals without eliminating meat entirely.
Half of those who say they are vegan or vegetarian eat meat at weekends, occasionally or on special occasions, a survey for the annual Waitrose Food and Drink report suggests.
Some 33.5 per cent of people say they are cutting down on, or cutting out, meat, while 9.5 per cent say they are vegetarian and 3 per cent are vegan.
Some 60 per cent of vegans and 40 per cent of vegetarians have adopted the lifestyle over the past five years, with 55 per cent citing animal welfare concerns, 45 per cent changing their diet for health reasons and 38 per cent mentioning environmental concerns, the survey found.
However 41 per cent admitted to missing eating a Sunday roast and 11 per cent missed eating pork scratchings.
OnePoll surveyed 2000 UK adults in July.
