I’m a vegeSCAREian! Men ‘keep eating meat as they are too afraid of their friends’ reactions to give it up’
- Southampton University interviewed 20 vegetarian men about eating habits
- Men had cut out meat for environmental reasons but still ate it with male friends
- Vegetarian man in his 20s found it awkward not to join friends in a bacon sandwich after playing football on a Sunday, because it was a tradition
Vegetarian men are still ordering meat in restaurants to avoid being judged by friends and colleagues, a study has found.
Dr Emma Roe of Southampton University led the research, which saw 20 men interviewed about their eating habits.
The men had reduced meat consumption for environmental reasons but still ate it with male friends.
Men who consider themselves vegetarian are still eating meat with male friends to avoid embarrassment
‘We found men who ate a vegetarian or vegan diet at home found it difficult to avoid eating meat when socialising with other men,’ Dr Roe said.
‘A man in his late twenties called himself a vegetarian, yet found it awkward not to join friends in a bacon sandwich after playing football on a Sunday, because that is what they did together after football.
‘We found that even men who don’t like meat, or have been asked by the doctor to eat less meat, still find it hard to choose the vegetarian option in public around other men.’