16 September 2024

I had some great conversations at the Plant Based World Expo last week. Per their website, “Plant Based World Expo brings together more than 4,000 stakeholders to spark new opportunities in a rapidly-evolving $11.3 billion market that’s projected to triple in the next ten years. This is where buyers and chefs discover the better-for-you options that consumers are craving, where the companies creating mind bending (and mouthwatering) products find their big breaks, where the roadmap to sustainability evolves."

Heading into the Jacob Javits Center, one could easily assume that most of the US is either vegan or plant predominant. The truth is (per a 2022 survey by the Vegetarian Resource Group) only 6% of U.S. adults are vegetarian, including the 3% that are vegan. Altogether, 29% of adult Americans sometimes, usually, or always eats vegan meals.

So less than a third of the country is even considering the occasional plant based meal. That's why I'm not alone when I say that the future may not be vegan, but it most certainly can be plant forward. What do the 29% and the other 71% of Americans have in common? [Well, I believe] they all like great food! There is so much variety in the plant kingdom, you'd be hard pressed to NOT find something you love.

Sure…eating a whole foods plant based diet with no added sugar or oil is a worthy goal. After all, it's been shown to reduce risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Also, its impact on the planet (water, land, emissions) is significantly less than a meat-heavy diet. And don't even get me started on the animal welfare piece. I'm currently reading “Eating Animals” and the descriptions of the [barely] living conditions our “food” comes from are mortifying.

When we make food choices, though, we are not thinking through all these existential issues (and I can see why not).  The most important things are: Does it look good? Does it taste good? Can I afford it? Do I have time for it?

While I believe that a vegan diet is more balanced, varied, colorful, flavorful and satisfying than any diet, I recognize that not everyone's on board with this (I'm looking at you, 71%). Still, I know that once you explore the world of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, you will find that they enhance your diet at any point along the plant based spectrum.

You eat burgers every day? Add some mushrooms and onions to the mix. Yes, they help reduce risk of cancer and improve brain health but also…they make it taste better!

You think chicken cutlets are the most important protein? Try eating a smaller portion and boosting the color and flavor of your plate with more vegetables. Or try subbing in one of the new chicken alternatives - so many available!  I've always liked Quorn, but also tried Altro Food at the Plant Based Expo and it was tasty!

Think you could go vegan “except for cheese”? Well, then, don't let that stop you. Sure, there are many cheese alternatives out there (frankly, I prefer my own homemade), but if you have to have a little dairy cheese here and there, don't let perfection be the enemy of progress!

Even the strictest vegans have harmed animals in some way just by living and eating - it's a function of our entire food system. Most of the food I saw at Vegandale was junk food (seriously…deep fried oreos?). As the person ahead of me in line said, “It's not the food I normally eat, more like a cheat day.”  There is no perfect. But that doesn't mean you should throw up your hands and give up.

Adding more unprocessed vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds to your eating pattern has immediate benefits. They're colorful and provide texture. They add interest and variety to meals. They're easy to cook and safer in your kitchen. They're relatively inexpensive and available everywhere (more on that next month).

So today, on this National Guacamole Day, I urge you to TAKE A TASTE! Try something new and let plants enrich your life in so many ways. You can start with the yummy bolognese sauce (pictured above) from Feasting at Home or make my fan-favorite 10-minute mango guacamole!