When you are in grocery shops in Sweden, you will find many types of specific food for vegetarians or vegans. It is believed by the majority that the vegetarianism can positively affect human being’s health and the environment. There are differences between vegetarians and vegans. It is said that vegetarian diets have existed since as early as 700 B.C., while vegan diets are a little more recent. Both vegetarianism and veganism choose not to eat meat, but veganism is stricter because it encourages people to eat only food from the plant and fungus kingdom. In Sweden, vegetarianism as a conscious lifestyle has hardly existed before modern times. During the 1970s, vegetarianism gained momentum.
Historically, there have not been very many or extensive studies on vegetarianism and veganism in Sweden. However, the vegetarianism is a popular norm now because it is related to the health and environment, which have been addressed by Swedes. According to a survey conducted by Demoskop on behalf of Djurens rätt (Animal Rights) 2014, the proportion of vegetarians is 6 percent, and the proportion of vegans 4 percent. Among younger generation, according to Matrapporten 2019, there are 15% of the population aged 15-24 choosing vegetarianism (10% vegetarians, 5% vegans), and they are driving green eating in Sweden. The vegetarianism statistic is in an increasing trend in Sweden, which means even more population will reduce their meat consumption. In 2017, the trend was broken with increased meat consumption in Sweden and as many as 400,000 people state that they will become vegetarians after 2 years. Additionally, 28% of Swedes state that they will continue to reduce their consumption of beef and pork. This trend is most clearly driven by women, especially those aged 25-34.
vego in Hemöp
vego in hemköp
Among the Swedes’ most popular everyday dishes in 2019, “vegetarian” ranks 7th. The word, vego, is a collective term for foods that do not contain meat. Foods like beans, root vegetables, grains and cabbage are the queens of vego. Therefore, in Sweden, you might often see or hear “Välj Vego (choose vego)”.
vego choice in Max Burger
According to World Wide Fund in Sweden, Our consumption of meat, milk and eggs in Sweden accounts for 70% of the food’s total climate emissions. . Diets of vegetarianism account for much less emissions to the environment. If you want to do something good for the climate for real, it is still best to choose vego. Have no idea about the recipe of vegetarianism? Do not worry. There is a lot of related information about how to make diets of vegetarianism based on food in Sweden’s groceries. ICA, a famous Swedish groceries brand, presents various vegetarianism recipes in its website: https://www.ica.se/halsa/artikel/grilla-vegetariska-burgare-recept/.
vego in ica.se
Last but not least, as a student in Linköpings Universitet, you will find information about Linköping Vegan association (LIVA)! If you have interest in vegetarianism and want to know more about it, you can join this association and hang out with other people who have the same interest. You will also know what vegan options restaurants and cafes on campus have. Some of events in LIVA planed: Bike parties, lunch lectures, cooking classes, movie night and BBQ hangout. Head to LIVA’s Facebook page for a map of the vegan options on campus, and for updates for when we organize activities: https://www.facebook.com/Livastudentforening/.
