1. What’s your food story? Why did you switch to a vegan/ plant based diet?
I grew up eating a standard American diet, and on special occasions eating a lot of soul food. My family is originally from North Carolina so most family dinners and holidays were focused on a soul food feast. My favorite meal as a child was Southern fried chicken, candied yams, 5 cheese baked macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. I laugh as I write this because I think a lot of people would be shocked at how much of this meal I used to eat. I even remember often sneaking in the fridge and eating butter sandwiches. Yes, butter sandwiches lol. I would take two pieces of white bread, chunks of butter, and pancake syrup, and make a sandwich. It’s no surprise that at about 8 years old my doctor told my mother I had high cholesterol. The doctor put me on a strict low-fat diet that cut out dairy, and processed meats. I’m very thankful that my mother took me to get regular physicals at the doctor and that I was diagnosed early enough to reverse my high cholesterol. Sadly, however after my doctor confirmed that my cholesterol was lowered I went back to eating my standard American diet, just without the butter sandwiches. When I say standard American diet I’m referring to a diet high in processed foods and animal products. Because my mother was a single mom she did not always have time to prepare home-cooked meals and we would eat a lot of take-out. I would also eat a lot of foods that are considered normal to eat in America such as cereals, Debbie Cakes, lunch meats, etc.
In my young adult years, I partied a lot which led to eating a lot of fast foods. At 26, I went to get a physical and when I got on the scale I realized that I was 30lbs overweight. I had no idea. Seeing that number on the scale is what started my journey to a healthier lifestyle. It may have been for the wrong reasons (I only cared about how I looked) but it caused me to start paying attention to how much and what food I put into my body and led me to start exercising daily. I ended up losing 30lbs in one month by counting calories to ensure that I burned more calories than I consumed. I did this by cutting my portion sizes and cutting out bad carbs, red meat, and pork.
It wasn’t until about a year later that I discovered the plant-based diet and became interested. I had previously attempted pescatarian, and vegetarian diets and failed because I had not yet grasped the concept of eating more vegetables and instead ended up eating more rice and pasta which was no good for me.
Before becoming vegan I did not watch any documentaries. I have to mention this because it was always the first question I got asked when I would tell someone I went vegan. They would always ask “oh did you watch “What the Health” or something?” The answer was no but I have since watched it and recommend people take it seriously because there is a lot of truth to it. To rewind, I had started learning more about the American food system and the hormones and antibiotics used in animal agriculture. I just knew those things could not be good for my body. I started only purchasing animal products from farmer’s markets and seafood from local fishermen to try to avoid the added hormones and antibiotics. This honestly became daunting and I was getting fed up. I also started following a few vegans on Instagram. Their way of eating just made sense to me. Not putting chemicals and harmful things in my body just made sense. The decision to go plant-based was very easy for me. It was easier than trying to source animal products that I thought were actually safe to consume and even then I wasn’t sure if the farmers were honest. So for me simply eating fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods was the easy choice.
Since going vegan I have never regretted it or cheated/relapsed. I love food so much and think I’m a pretty good cook so I have yet to get bored with trying new plant-based recipes. Living in a city with lots of vegan restaurants also helps because I love dining out. I have been vegan for about 3.5 years, and I don’t see that ever-changing. I no longer have to work out like a madwoman to maintain my weight and I have peace knowing the food I put into my body is helping me live and not die. I have also lost a lot of loved ones to diseases that can possibly be prevented with a healthy diet. By going vegan I have broken generation curses in my family.
2. Do you feel like you get all the nutrients you need? Do you take any vitamins or supplements? If so, what do you recommend?
“I definitely get all the nutrients I need and I confirm this by having my blood work taken at least every six months.“
I love this question, and I want to note that no one ever asked me this before going vegan. I know for a fact that I was not getting all the nutrients I needed before I was vegan. This question is important for both vegans and non-vegans. I’ve always wondered why most people assume because they eat animal products that they are getting all the nutrients they need, because that’s not the case. Most of the food people eat lacks nutrients and they do not eat a wide enough variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to get all their nutrients. But I digress lol.
Over the 3.5 years, I have been vegan, I have not regularly taken any supplements. I recently started taking a women’s daily vitamin to fill in any gaps for the days I don’t eat as balanced as I should. But I cannot express enough though how important it is to get blood work done to see if any supplements are needed. This is for everyone, not just people who have a plant-based diet. Supplements should be taken per your doctor’s recommendation based on your blood work.
3. Is it more expensive than a “normal” diet? What are your recommendations for budgeting for this type of diet?
I think it can be more expensive when you eat a lot of mock meat and processed foods. If you are mostly eating whole foods it will be less expensive. Whole food plant-based sources of protein are cheaper than animal sources of protein. For example: beans are cheaper than chicken, but vegan chicken may cost more than real chicken. I don’t recommend anyone eating a lot of processed foods because it would definitely be more expensive than whole foods.
4. What are the first few steps to getting started with a plant based diet?
I think the first and most important step is establishing your why. Why you want to make the change is going to be so important to keep you from quitting. There needs to be a good reason to make you be disciplined because it will take a lot of will-power to turn down non-vegan food at parties, family’s houses, restaurants, etc.
The next step I would say is to just do it. Do not try to do it gradually. I think that just causes you to continue to crave meat and dairy. When you go vegan cold turkey, your taste buds will adjust and you won’t have cravings.
Finally, I recommend getting a vegan cookbook and following some vegan influencers/food bloggers on social media. I always get inspiration from social media and my cookbooks and then make a weekly meal plan. This way I know what I’m eating for the week and can meal prep to make it easier.
5. What are some of your favorite vegan staple ingredients or cooking tools?
Here some of my favorite ingredients that I began using after becoming vegan that help me make a variety of different recipes:
- Nutritional Yeast- a seasoning that can give a cheesy flavor
- Indian Black Salt aka Kala namak- Not even many vegans know about it, but it’s a salt that makes anything taste like eggs.
- Coco aminos- For making different sauces
- Coconut sugar- an unrefined natural sugar to replace regular refined sugar
- Pure maple syrup- this helps make a lot of sauces as well as sweeten things like breakfast or dessert.
- Olive oil- for sauteing instead of butter
- Plant-based milk- I prefer to make my own but you can also find some that are simple ingredients like just oats and water or just almonds and water.
- A blender- for smoothies, sauces, plant-based milk, and blending ingredients to make burgers, etc.
6. Do you think God has called everyone to eat plant based?
I don’t think so because some people in the bible ate animals. However, I don’t think God is pleased with the current state of animal agriculture and how animals are tortured for our food. I believe, in the past the process has been more humane and now it’s just terrible. God has given us the wisdom to make the right choices and live according to our own convictions. If the food you’re eating is making you unhealthy and may prevent you from fulfilling your God-given purpose, that is where wisdom needs to kick in.
7. Does it burden you when you see people eating unhealthy?
I wish it wasn’t the case but it absolutely does burden me. I try my best to mind my business but sometimes I just can’t *laughs*. I truly want to see everyone live their best lives and it pains me when I see people not taking care of themselves. Especially people who are not knowledgeable or have not been exposed to other ways of eating and healthy lifestyles. This pains me because at one point in my life I was one of those people and I know had I known better I would have done better.
8. Is it difficult to eat out? Do you ALWAYS have to cook?
Absolutely not! I love eating out and there are so many vegan restaurants popping up these days. You can check apps like Happy Cow that will show you all the vegan restaurants or restaurants with vegan options nearby. You can also simply type vegan into google and it will give you the same results. When I have to go to non-vegan restaurants with my nonvegan friends I always check the menu ahead of time and email the restaurant to let them know I am coming and that I have a vegan dietary restriction. I have never experienced a restaurant that did not accommodate me. When I end up at a nonvegan restaurant at the spur of the moment there are usually always some sides I can eat. Worst case scenario there are always french fries!
9. Would you prefer for the person you potentially date/ marry to be vegan?
Would I prefer it yes lol, is it a dealbreaker, no. The person I love is currently not vegan and I don’t think it is an issue for us at all (although he may feel differently *laughs*). The only reason I would prefer it, is because I want the best for the people I care about and that includes their best health. I believe that as long as the person you are with is open-minded and willing to try vegan food with you, it will work. You also have to be open-minded and compromise sometimes at nonvegan restaurants by either eating sides or calling ahead as I mentioned before. I will say, in the beginning stages of dating, it was important for me to see some effort put into accommodating my diet. Since it is important to me, I want that to be considered.
10. How has veganism impacted your spirituality/walk with God?
I would say it is the other way around. After I started my walk with God, God began to reveal my purpose to me. I don’t think it is a coincidence that my interest in veganism began around the exact time that I started my walk with God. I know a part of my purpose is to lead and encourage people to a healthier lifestyle so I kind of believe God placed the desire to go vegan in my heart.