Most Americans see the health benefits of plant-based diets – so why aren’t doctors talking about it?

A new national survey reveals a major disconnect between what Americans believe and what their doctors discuss: while half of US adults say they know that a plant-based diet can improve health and help prevent chronic disease, just one in five primary care practitioners talk to patients about it.

The findings come from a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult poll conducted in April 2025 among 2,203 US adults.

“What’s missing is support and guidance from health care professionals,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee, a nonprofit health advocacy group. “This represents a huge missed opportunity to turn interest into action – and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases that affect millions.”

The appetite for change is there as 65% of respondents said they would be willing to try a plant-based diet if shown evidence of its benefits. A substantial body of scientific research offers that evidence. A 2023 meta-analysis of over two million people found strong links between plant-based diets and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and early death – particularly diets rich in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. The Adventist Health Study 2, which followed more than 70,000 Americans, found vegans had a 15% lower risk of early death overall, with especially pronounced benefits for heart health. And a 2017 review of earlier studies similarly found that vegetarians and vegans were less likely to develop heart disease and certain cancers.

Despite these findings, plant-based nutrition still receives limited attention in clinical settings. The Physicians Committee argues this is a symptom of wider gaps in medical education, where nutrition is rarely emphasized. To address the shortfall, the organization offers education tools to medical and nursing students and provides plant-based starter kits and a directory of plant-based healthcare providers to the public.

The group also welcomed a recent bill introduced in New York that would help ensure doctors have access to continuing education on nutrition. Advocates believe steps like this are essential to improving outcomes for patients and tackling chronic illnesses linked to diet, particularly among underserved communities.

The Physicians Committee, which counts 17,000 physicians among its members, continues to push for better integration of nutrition into both education and patient care.