2020 Essay Winner
Going Plant-Based During a Pandemic
By Ishva Mehta, Age 17
You only eat grass! How will you survive on that during the lockdown? My friends would mock me as I devoured my plant-based tacos. I am a fifth-generation vegetarian, so excluding meat products from my diet is not new for me, nor is the stigma surrounding my diet; but I would've never thought that my lifestyle choice would also be my biggest asset during this pandemic.
A sudden (and even indefinite) period of quarantine is very stressful, and running out of food is not a problem I'd like to add to the situation at hand. As grocery stores run out of stock world over, my meat-eating counterparts fret over egg shortages, chicken and beef expiration dates, while I recount my three-week supply of tofu and oats in my pantry, and a sigh of relief overcomes my stress: “Phew! All good.”
As layoffs, furloughs, and unemployment unfortunately consume many across the world, food costs are only on the rise. My meat-eating peers worry over the rising costs of their favorite chicken breasts (which cost roughly $6.00 per pound in my area). One pound of chickpeas, however, costs me almost half that price. Whole plant-based items often last longer, and also offer more servings than animal products.
I also stay safe within the boundaries of my home as I, in comparison to my meat-eating peers, am not forced to make repeated trips to the grocery store. Chopped vegetables can be easily stored in sealed storage containers. If stored correctly in the freezer, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and frozen vegetables, all last for about a month. Beans, pastas, cereals, and lentils, paired correctly with vegetables, make great meals.
One of the biggest complaints I get regarding plant-based diets is that “it's like working from scratch; it's tedious and I don't have the time!”
Well, if like many, you are currently homebound, chances are you are spending more time than ever in your kitchen! After endless hours in front of the television, food is the most popular entertainment option for many people. Most plant-based dishes are very approachable. With a little bit of education and an open mind, anyone can venture into the world of plant-based diet this quarantine season.
Plus, during a time of social-distancing, there is no (or very little) judgment. Now is the perfect time to tackle food experiments and lifestyle changes without fear of judgment from peers. Veganism, vegetarianism, and plant-based diets are extremely stigmatized even today; I, myself, was uncertain of my body's capabilities of surviving solely on a plant-based diet during these uncertain times. I thought I would find myself reaching for the ice creams, eggs, and other animal based products to sustain myself. However, I found a plant-based lifestyle to be optimum during this pandemic.
The deadline for the next Vegetarian Resource Group Annual Essay Contest for kids is May 20, 2021. For details and information about the contest and previous winners, see: vrg.org/essay
