The majority of Americans (71%) believe plant-based meats are becoming more mainstream, according to new survey data released by Greenleaf Foods, SPC, the Elmhurst, Ill.-based producer of the Lightlife brand. Even carnivores (62%) agree that plant-based eating has gone mainstream.

The online survey of 1,000 Americans was fielded by in September by Edelman Intelligence, New York, to measure perspectives on the plant-based category.

Lightlife analyzed demand and found that 31% of Americans expect to try a flexitarian diet in the future. Within the next year, 22% of Americans see themselves eating more plant-based protein alternatives, and currently, 62% of people say they expect to see plant-based protein alternatives in restaurants.

Meanwhile, nearly half (49%) of carnivores said that they eat traditional meat four times a week or less. The reasons why Americans say they aren’t eating traditional meat more often include:

• 74% seek variety in their diet.
• 73% believe they can get protein from other food sources.
• 58% of parents want to set a “good example” for their kids.
• 55% of all Americans say there’s a wide variety of meat alternatives to choose from.
• 40% of Americans believe that eating less traditional meat is better for the environment.

“Lightlife has been pioneering the plant-based evolution for four decades, and is dedicated to delivering options for all occasions across our broad portfolio of delicious products,” says Dan Curtin, president and CEO. “The survey results are powerful and affirm what we have long held to be true—that America is joining us in seeing the power of plant-based eating now and into the future.”