Badass Vegan

March 6, 2023
“Being healthy is a right, not a hobby,” contends Lewis, who was a butcher before becoming a vegan, in his pragmatic debut. He surveys the benefits of “becoming a badass vegan” and warns that diets high in meat, milk, and eggs lead to plaque buildup and eventually heart disease. The livestock industry, Lewis explains, contributes to deforestation and sucks up significant water resources; therefore, going vegan is also better for the planet. Pushing back against common misconceptions, he explains that lentils and seitan have more than enough protein to compensate for not eating meat and that athletes can thrive on a plant-based diet, as Serena Williams and NBA star Chris Paul have demonstrated. Elsewhere, Lewis positions veganism as a social justice issue, condemning the federal subsidies for meat and dairy production that prop up the fast food industry, whose restaurants pervade Black communities that lack access to more nutritious food and contribute to residents’ high levels of hypertension, cholesterol, and cardiac disease. The examination of how veganism intersects with food justice issues enlightens, and readers will appreciate the dozens of recipes, including a panzanella salad and Saint Louis BBQ that uses jackfruit instead of pulled pork. Those curious about veganism will find this a powerful resource.