FOR THE [PLANT-BASED] CULTURE

BY TOBIAS

Thanks to social media influencers and gifted food photographers, in recent years, the Black community has been turning to plant-based diets as a means to improve their overall health and well-being. Some of us have experienced firsthand how dairy-free mac-and-cheese can be just as mouthwatering as the original. However, this positive trend offers more than just better health. Plant-based lifestyles are friendlier to the environment, easier on the wallet, and offer help with overall weight management.

So what are the health benefits of a plant-based diet? For starters, a plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—conditions that historically affect the Black community at disproportionately higher rates. This health disparity is attributed to a range of factors like access to affordable and healthy food options, cultural food traditions, and deceptive food marketing practices. Yet, in recent years, the tide has started to turn, as more people switch to plantbased diets.

A significant reason for this switch is the rise of supportive online communities on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Influencers such as Todd Anderson, @turnipvegan, and Jenna Wends, @jensplantbase, share plant-based journeys and create spaces to connect with others who are making similar lifestyle changes. We all know that a cookbook without a photograph doesn’t sell.

Similarly, watching these masters cook up a vegan Jamaican jerk chicken speaks to the soul much better than reading a list of plant-based benefits ever would. Even those who “don’t eat out” can trust this.

Another positive benefit is that plant-based diets tend to be easier on the wallet. Beans, legumes, and tofu are often more affordable and sustainable options for individuals and families living in communities with limited access to fresh produce and healthy food options. One trip to a local grocery store will support this.

All in all, the rise of plant-based diets within the Black community is a positive trend with far-reaching health implications yet to be measured. As more people embrace this lifestyle change, we can expect to see improved health outcomes for our communities and more plantbased options offered by the food industry.