WASHINGTON, D.C. -- According to a 2018 Gallup poll, 5% of U.S. adults consider themselves to be vegetarian.

Nonwhite Americans (9%) are three times as likely as white Americans (3%) to describe themselves as vegetarian.

11% of self-identified liberals identify as vegetarian, compared with 2% of conservatives and 3% of moderates.

Vegetarianism is less prevalent among older Americans: 2% of adults aged 55 and older say they adhere to a vegetarian diet, compared with 8% of 18- to 34-year-olds and 7% of 35- to 54-year-olds.

U.S. Adults Identifying as Vegetarian In terms of your eating preferences, do you consider yourself to be a vegetarian, or not? Vegetarian Number of Interviews % n U.S. Adults 5 1033 Gender Men 4 548 Women 6 485 Age 18 to 34 8 210 35 to 54 7 278 55+ 2 522 Race White 3 742 Non-white 9 270 Ideology Conservative 2 371 Moderate 3 367 Liberal 11 252 Region East 8 220 Midwest 4 217 South 4 360 West 6 236 Based on data from July 2018 Gallup

Though plant-based diets and meat alternatives have been featured in some recent high-profile forums, including the United Nations and Democratic presidential debates , and are becoming a staple even on fast food restaurant menus, the percentage of vegetarians has remained stable over the past two decades. A 1999 Gallup survey that asked the same question found that 6% of Americans identified themselves as vegetarian.

Gallup periodically measures vegetarianism in the U.S. as part of its July Consumption Habits poll -- one of 12 surveys that make up the Gallup Poll Social Series.

Gallup's full trend on vegetarianism is available on the Nutrition and Food "Topics A to Z" page.

Explore Gallup articles about vegetarianism and other food-related topics on the "Health Habits" page.