(photo courtesy of morguefile.com)

The continued growth of vegetarian food sales may be a sign that government efforts to get people to eat a healthier diet are paying off. That’s according to a report from Research and Markets, an international market research firm based in Dublin, Ireland.

The growth rate of vegetarian sales peaked at 16.6% in 2002. Recent growth has fallen to within a more modest range, with the latest available data showing growth of 5%, but that still represents faster growth than the total food market.

Interestingly, the number of vegetarians has actually been in decline since 1999, after peaking in 1997, while the demand for vegetarian foods has continued to grow. People who would not describe themselves as vegetarian are believed to be driving the growth; making vegetarian foods a more mainstream choice. These folks are likely reducing their consumption of meat as they pursue a healthier and more varied diet. Vegetarian foods are claimed to be lower in saturated fat, and contain higher levels of dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins.

The government recommendation that people eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are a likely part of the explanation, along with some of the food scares regarding the meat and poultry mass produced on factory farms.

If you’d like to order the report from Research and Markets cited above, go to: Vegetarian Foods Market Assessment 2006