"When I decided to radically change my diet from one that was dominated by meat and animal by-products to one that was largely made up of plants, people thought I was insane. I was 14 years old and living in Mississippi, where the food scene is unapologetically meat-centric, and the closest thing you could get to a vegan meal when you went out was a salad and a side of fries. I was a Black woman entering a space where the majority of people looked nothing like me.
Run, don't walk.
This lifestyle change caused a lot of confusion among my family and friends because, to them, it was seen as a “white thing” to be vegan, and by adopting that way of eating, I was somehow trading a significant part of my culture. They couldn’t understand why I would willingly give up all the good southern cuisine I grew up on and were convinced that I couldn’t possibly get my protein anywhere else besides meat. The confusion, doubt, and beliefs my family and friends had around plant-based eating shined light on a problem that has existed in the Black community for far too long: the belief that plant-based eating is not for us. But it can be.
It’s been 10 years since I made the life-changing decision, and I’ve been happy to see how much plant-based eating has become more normalized; many more plant-based options are available in grocery stores and restaurants. Take it from someone who went vegan during a time and in a place where it was rare, it’s easier to take the plunge now more than ever. And regarding representation, I’m proud to say that things are evolving. I’m now seeing more faces that look like me entering the plant-based space, proving that it’s possible to recreate cultural dishes with plant-based ingredients (*insert Tabitha Brown’s iconic plant-based potato salad recipe*).
“I’m now seeing more faces that look like me entering the plant-based space, proving that it’s possible to recreate cultural dishes with plant-based ingredients.”
However, despite the growing popularity, education, and inclusivity of veganism, there still may be doubts about how a plant-based diet can enrich your life rather than take away from it. As a seasoned veteran of this lifestyle, I can attest that plant-based eating is a win for your health and well-being no matter your cultural background. But before I share the ways that plant-based eating has improved my life, I want to point out that a plant-based diet may not be the answer for everyone; we each have unique bodies that need different things, including various approaches to eating. How one diet affects my body may be different than how it affects yours. Listen to your body, and do what’s best for you. That said, whether you’re interested in taking it slow by incorporating “Meatless Mondays” into your diet or going fully plant-based like me, here’s everything you can look forward to with a plant-based diet.
How Plant-Based Eating Changed My Life
I have more energy
Before going plant-based, I used to always experience intense food comas and midday slumps. Although the large amounts of coffee I used to consume were partly to blame, I now know that the meals I had throughout the day (which usually included some combination of meat, eggs, and dairy) were the main culprit. After going vegan, I noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels. Instead of feeling heavy and sluggish throughout the day, I feel light, satisfied, and energized after meals.
My digestion has improved
I can now confidently say that I’m regular (when it comes to bowel movements). Before going plant-based, I was that girl who experienced frequent constipation, to the point that I thought it was normal to not go for a few days. Since changing my diet to include more fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods like grains and legumes, my digestion works more efficiently. According to a study in Nutrients, switching to a plant-based diet may help increase the diversity of health-promoting bacteria in the gut, supporting not only better digestion but also more effective nutrient absorption. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are higher in fiber compared to meat and animal products, and dietary fiber is best known for its ability to prevent or relieve constipation.
“Plant-based diets have been shown to lower the risk of health conditions that disproportionately affect the Black community.”
I have clearer skin
When my diet consisted of meat and animal by-products, I could never find a solution to the constant breakouts I had (and nothing I tried topically ever did the trick). But after eliminating meat and animal by-products like cheese and milk from my diet, my skin noticeably cleared up, and I only experience an occasional breakout here and there, but it’s no longer a part of my everyday. This may be because dairy was causing my breakouts (there are only a few studies linking dairy and acne, so more research is needed to confirm this correlation), but it also may be because eating less meat and dairy meant eating more foods rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
For example, leafy greens are high in antioxidants (which helps reduce skin inflammation), sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A (which aids in fewer wrinkles and a glowing complexion), and red bell peppers are packed with vitamin C (which detoxifies and brightens the skin)—all of which are now staples in my diet. I also have to credit my improved digestion (see: gut-skin connection).
It feels like the right choice for my overall health
I subscribe to the school of thought that it’s better to instill good preventive health practices into your everyday life instead of waiting until something is wrong. For me, this means I take my vitamins, engage in an exercise routine, stay on top of my doctor check-ups, and eat plant-based. A study in Advances in Nutrition found that a diet made up of predominantly or exclusively whole plant foods can promote health and even selectively treat and reverse disease. More specifically, plant-based diets have been shown to lower the risk of health conditions and diseases that disproportionately affect the Black community (such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer). While plant-based eating isn’t the only answer to combating health issues (genetics and lifestyle choices also influence health), the diet has proven that it can be an asset to holistic health practices.
I know I’m contributing to a better planet
Health and wellness benefits aside, eating a plant-based diet can contribute to the well-being of something much bigger than you and me: the planet. The meat industry negatively affects the environment in many ways: It makes up 60 percent of greenhouse gasses, uses a huge quantity of water for production (for example, one quarter-pound hamburger patty requires about 460 gallons of water), and perpetuates deforestation. Even though the climate crisis can’t be solved by adopting a plant-based diet alone, combining it with incorporating more sustainable habits in your day-to-day life and advocating for systemic change (i.e., join a local grassroots movement or organization or sign petitions) can make a difference, no matter how small.
Aaliyah Alexander
Aaliyah is a writer, content creator, and blogger based in San Diego, CA. Originally from Mississippi, Aaliyah received a journalism degree from San Diego State University, where she served as an editor for the award-winning independent student newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Aaliyah covers topics such as slow living, her favorite vegan foods, minimalism, and self growth.