The survey, conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Morning Consult, included responses from 2,203 adults between April 15 and 16, 2025.
Sixty-five percent of respondents said they would consider trying a plant-based diet if they were shown strong evidence of its health benefits. Despite this interest, only about 20% of primary care doctors talk to patients about plant-based eating, the survey revealed.
“What’s missing is support and guidance from health care professionals,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian with PCRM. “This is a major missed opportunity to help people take action and reduce their risk for chronic diseases.”
Currently, only 1% of U.S. adults identify as vegan, according to the survey.
This study follows growing research showing that plant-based diets may help prevent chronic diseases, improve overall health, and reduce healthcare costs.
One recent study by Dr. Shireem Kassam and Dr. Laura Jane Smith of Plant Based Health Professionals UK said plant-based eating can address connected issues of health, inequality, and climate change. But they also warned that medical education still lacks training in plant-based nutrition.
In November, a separate study found that three out of four dietitians in the UK wrongly believed that plant-based proteins are incomplete.
In the U.S., PCRM offers training in plant-based nutrition to medical and nursing students who want to better understand the health benefits of a meat-free diet.
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