Dietary similarities among friends and lovers: vegetarianism, omnivorism, and personal relationships

https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2020.1867042

In this study.

A series of studies conducted in the United States and Poland found that veganism can serve as a basis for the formation of personal relationships.

Consistent with research on the similarity inducement effect, it was found that vegetarians are more likely to have friends and lovers who are vegetarians than omnivores.

According to Study 1, vegans report that diet is a more important part of their identity than omnivores. Studies 2 and 3, and 4 found that vegetarians are three to six times more likely to have a vegetarian friend than an omnivore.

In addition, Study 4 found that vegetarians were 12 times more likely to have a romantic partner who was a vegetarian than omnivores.

These results suggested that following a vegetarian or omnivorous diet has an important influence on an individual's choice of relationship partner.