The development of vegetarian identity is shaped by internal factors, where food choices integrate into identity, and external factors, which manifest in behaviour. Identifying as vegetarian has a stronger impact on social life than merely reducing meat consumption. Vegetarians differ in how central their dietary habits are to their identity. Understanding vegetarian identity provides valuable insight into the complexity of human behaviour and social interactions. Our research found that vegetarians strongly believe in the health benefits of their diet and its positive impact on the environment. They are more ethically aware, particularly concerning animal welfare and social justice. They tend to have liberal views, support progressive ideas, and exhibit greater tolerance, compassion, and lower prejudice. Our "typical" vegetarian aligns with findings from other studies. However, a key question remains: do vegetarian habits shape these attitudes, or are people with certain values more likely to adopt vegetarianism? This aspect requires further investigation.
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