Min Kyung Park,Jasmyn Kim2, Sanghee Kim

An Integrative Review on Dining Experiences of Vegetarians as a Minority Food Culture: Based on Qualitative Research


Background: Despite the emphasis on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and growing interest in the con- tribution of meat consumption to climate change and the resulting health hazards, few studies have been con- ducted to understand the vegetarian dining experience. The purpose of this study was to analyze character- istics of qualitative research on dining experiences for vegetarians, and to suggest development directions for understanding and coping with it.
Methods: An integrative review method was used. Based on Whittemore & Knafl’s approach, five steps were applied.
Results: Of the 413 articles initially retrieved from the electronic databases, 12 studies met the selection criteria. Three characteristics related to the dining experiences of vegetarians were derived: (1) feeling healthy, (2) establishing identity, and (3) transition to healthy diet. Results emphasize that many of the difficulties that vegetarians face in maintaining a vegetarian diet are due to relationships with non-vegetarians, and vegeta- rians use various negotiation strategies to positively interact with non- vegetarians.
Conclusions: This review found that for vegetarians, a vegetarian diet is a lifestyle that reflects their identity and is an important transition for a healthier life. As a minority in the food culture, there is a need to promote the tran- sition to a healthy dining experience by understanding what the dining experience of vegetarians is like and considering alternatives to the difficulties they face.
Korean J Health Promot 2022;22(2):68-83

Keywords: Diet, Vegetarians, Food, Review, Qualitative research