Thinking of going vegan?

Americans view veganism as a healthy, sustainable diet

by Melissa McKimmy

Food giants like Unilever, Tyson, McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and Subway are clamoring for a seat at the vegan food table, and vegan options like the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger have gone mainstream. Veganism excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. To eat a vegan diet means following a diet free of all animal products.

A record number of Americans, especially young people, view it as a healthy, ethical, and sustainable way of eating. Many health benefits are attributed to following a plant-based diet. “Research consistently shows that plant-based diets are linked with a lower risk of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer,” according to Sharon Palmer, a registered dietician and author of Plant-Powered for Life.”

Many pro athletes rely on a plant-based diet to improve performance, recovery, and longevity, including 2019 Wimbledon champion Novack Djokovic, a producer of the new documentary, The Game Changers.

Veganism also allows people who prioritize the humane treatment of animals, and those with concerns about the climate crisis, to support their values through food choices.

A study by the University of Oxford found that eliminating animal-derived foods is the single most effective way to reduce environmental impact.

In fact, going vegan can reduce your carbon footprint by over 70 percent.

Melissa McKimmy is the Event Coordinator for VegMichigan, a nonprofit group that works to promote the health, ethical and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet.