DESPITE millions of meat eaters considering themselves to be flexitarian, 73 per cent wouldn’t choose a plant-based option from a menu.

The poll of 2,000 meat eaters found 48 per cent have been put off plant-based alternatives because they don’t believe they taste as good as the real thing.

But 31 per cent would be more inclined to choose it if they knew it tasted as nice, while 38 per cent said value for money would sway them towards a plant-based version over meat.

It also emerged that Monday was seen as the best day of the week to succeed in changing such eating habits, with 57 per cent seeing it as ideal for a fresh start.

The research was commissioned by Burger King UK and Vegetarian Butcher, which teamed up with social media and former Gogglebox star Joe Baggs to host a new game show – ‘Is this plant-based?’ – to test the taste buds of passers-by to see if they could tell which was meat or not.

It comes after 63 per cent of respondents thought they’d easily be able to tell the difference between a plant-based burger and a meat one.

And the taste would be the big giveaway for 76 per cent.

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However, when passers-by were asked to identify their burger, most declared them delicious – even when Baggs revealed they were all from the plant-based menu.

Joe Baggs said: “The people of London enjoyed the challenge but most struggled to tell the difference, proving that these plant-based burgers do taste just as good as their meaty counterparts.”

A spokesperson for the brand, which is offering deals on plant-based burgers every Monday via its app, said: “Our research revealed nearly three-quarters of meat eaters would still choose meat when given the option despite wanting to lead a more flexitarian lifestyle.

“And with 47 per cent of meat eaters admitting they’d be more inclined to try plant-based if there was a deal, our tasty ‘Meat Free Monday’ offer means there is no excuse not to kick start the week with a little more ‘flex’.”

This comes as one nutritionist explained the surprising truth behind plant-based diets.

Meanwhile, one expert has revealed how taking up this diet can help you shed weight and slash risk of three killer diseases.

And, everything you need to know about the health benefits of a vegan menu have been shared.