What is vegan? What is a plant-based diet? How do I eat healthier? Americans are asking these questions in their journeys towards healthier lifestyles. Tracye McQuirter, a long time animal rights activist, 30-year vegan, and nutritionist, just released a free vegan guide that answers all of these questions and more. She partnered with Farm Sanctuary, an animal rescue organization, to release this guide, which is targeted at the black community. Using inspiring figures in the vegan community, such as Russell Simmons, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Forest Whitaker, Angela Davis, and John Salley, McQuirter hopes empower people to reclaim their health.
Statistically, African-Americans have high rates of hypertension, obesity, smoking, stroke, and diabetes, with the leading causes of death being heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Only 3% of African-Americans are vegan, but McQuirter believes that African-Americans benefit most from eating plant-based diets, primarily because it is a part of their cultural heritage. Eating a plant-based diet, in combination with exercising 30-minutes a day and not smoking, can decrease a person’s risk of chronic disease and disability by up to 90%.
Most people grow up eating animal products and aren’t aware of the detrimental effects meat, dairy, and even processed foods can have on our health. This is what McQuirter’s vegan guide strives to do. The more you know, the healthier you can be. Switching to a vegan or more of a plant-based diet can be discouraging because you may not know what to buy at the grocery store, or even what to cook. It’s a lot easier than you think.
We have many vegetarian, vegan, and raw recipes that are all available in the Recipe Section. When you eat plant-based foods, you provide your body with all the nutrients it needs. If you eat more of these foods (fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes), you will definitely notice a difference in your overall health.
