Plant-based, according to Harvard Health Publishing, is a diet with an intentional focus on eating fruits and vegetables as well as foods such as nuts, lentils and grains. It does not mean one is a vegetarian, vegan or avoids dairy. These diets include different eating preferences.

So, to answer the question presented in the title, plant-based does not mean no more chocolate and neither does other lifestyles such as vegan or vegetarian. A quick google search will open an entire world of chocolate that is vegetarian or vegan friendly, and possibly both! While stuck in the vortex of different chocolates, I also discovered vegan cookies from Insomnia . . .wow. (maybe we’ll do a blog about trying different plant-based chocolates!)

It seems like restaurant menus are continually expanding their vegetarian section and always adding new food substitutions in order to meet the wide range of eating preferences their customers have. There are different motivating factors that can impact ones decision to add or remove something from their everyday diet. According to Sentient Media, vegans make up about 1-2% of the American population while vegetarians make up about 5% of the population, the same amount that there was in 2012.

North Shore University Health System clarifies terms related to “plant'-based” that can often be confused with one another. . .

Vegan: eliminates meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal-derived product (ex. honey). Some on this diet will also avoid rennet, gelatin, collagen and other types of animal protein; stocks or fats derived from animals. Depending on the person, this diet can also influence the nonfood-related part of ones life.

Vegetarian: eliminates all animal flesh products, like red meat, fish and poultry and can include the eliminating by-products of animals processed for food.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet: eliminates meat, fish and poultry, but allows eggs and dairy products.

Lacto-vegetarian diet: eliminates meat, fish, poultry and eggs, but allows dairy products.

Ovo-vegetarian diet: eliminates meat, fish, poultry and dairy products, but allows eggs.

Pescatarian: eliminates all meat and animal flesh (like red meat and poultry) with the exception of fish. This is a vegetarian diet with the addition of fish and other seafood like shrimp, mussels, salmon, crabs and lobster.

These are just some of the popular diet variations in the U.S. and the limitations they entail. According to The Beet, women are more likely than men to eat less animal meat and four out of five Americans who eat a plant-based diet identify as female. The plant-based initiative is currently being built and defined by women. Check out this article from plant based foods association, “Ten Women Who have Helped Shape the Plant-Based Foods Industry,” to learn about women who are an influential part of this movement.

The plant-based diet dates as far back as 1500-500 B.C. During its earlier stages it was implemented mainly due to religious reasons. The plant-based diet has changed, transformed and adapted from then to now. Different factors such as religion, war, organizations, politics and more effected the development, reputation and existence of the plant-based diet throughout the years. This diet is about more than the food we decide to place on our plate and it is intertwined with all areas of life. We are thankful for all chocolate, plant-based and other!

xoxo