New surveys by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) reveal strong support among nutrition professionals in Spain and Portugal for incorporating plant-based dairy alternatives into healthy diets.
In Spain, 88% of surveyed experts agreed that plant-based alternatives can be part of a healthy diet, with 78% favoring their inclusion in national dietary guidelines. Similarly, in Portugal, 93% supported their role in healthy diets, and 76% endorsed their addition to dietary guidelines.
Most nutritionists also stressed the importance of fortifying these products. About 81% in Spain and 96% in Portugal believed plant-based dairy alternatives should be enriched with vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, a vast majority acknowledged that the nutritional value depends on the plant source used.
In Spain, 87% of professionals cited lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, and support for vegan or plant-based diets as key reasons for recommending these alternatives. In Portugal, 96% mentioned managing lactose intolerance or allergies, while 86% highlighted vegan and plant-based diet support. Around half of Spanish professionals and one-third of Portuguese experts also recognized the environmental benefits of plant-based milks.
Perceptions about fortification showed notable gaps. Spanish professionals estimated that 55% of dairy alternatives are fortified with micronutrients like calcium or vitamin D, whereas the actual figure is 17%. Conversely, in Portugal, 80% of products are fortified, but experts believed it was only 52%.
Cost and taste perceptions varied as well. While 61% of experts in Spain and 68% in Portugal considered plant-based options more expensive than dairy, nearly half in Spain (46%) and Portugal (41%) disagreed that plant-based alternatives are less tasty.
This growing confidence in plant-based dairy comes as the global market for plant-based milk is projected to reach $51.87 billion by 2032.
“We’re seeing a real shift in how plant-based options are perceived — not just by consumers, but also by the health professionals they trust,” said Dr. Katerina Palascha, Senior Researcher at EUFIC. “This research highlights growing confidence in the role of plant-based dairy alternatives in a healthy diet, while also showing the need for clearer information on nutrition and fortification.”
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