Transforming practice chains through ideological objects: How plant-based meats impact consumers’ everyday food practices

Rohan Venkatraman*, María Paula Hernández Ruiz, Anita S. Lawrence, Jing Lei, Anish Nagpal

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

This research investigates the impact of the introduction of plant-based meats (PBMs) on consumers' food practices. Based on the results of 21 in-depth interviews with consumers who use PBMs, this research uses practice theory to explore how the adoption of PBMs affects linked food practices and the meanings associated with these practices. We find that consumers adopt PBMs due to either a desire for meaning coherence or for practicality. Subsequently there are social and embodied ripple consequences associated with this adoption, with consumers revising their social food practices, reconfiguring their understandings of health, and re-orienting their relationship to their body. Our findings extend the research on practice theory by examining how the adoption of a new category of ideological objects shapes other linked consumption practices. Practically, our findings provide important insights for dietary, marketing and health practitioners to understand the overall impact of PBM adoption on consumers’ dietary patterns and practices, and their perception about health and body.
Original languageEnglish
Article number106765
Number of pages11
JournalAppetite
Volume188
Early online date27 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • Plant based meats
  • Social practice theory
  • Ideological objects
  • Practice chains

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Marketing

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