I spotted something in a London restaurant recently that made me do a double take.
It was the price of a vegan main dish and you might just be surprised by the reason for my surprise.
Keep reading below for the full FGV rant!
I was out grabbing a quick bite near the Barbican and noticed that the vegan option on the Jiak menu was priced a solid two quid less than the meat-based dishes. Not the same price. Not a pound more expensive. Cheaper. In this day and age, that’s a pretty rare sight.
And honestly, it felt like a small win for common sense.
The way humans eat is wrecking the planet. That’s not me being dramatic, it’s the science-backed, climate-emergency kind of truth we need to be shouting about from every rooftop that isn’t already underwater. If we are serious about making meaningful changes for the wellbeing of the planet, reducing the consumption of animal products has to be high on the priority list.
But here’s the thing. It’s hard to convince people to make better choices when the cost of a vegan curry is usually higher than a meal that comes with a side of planetary destruction.
Governments and councils love to hold climate summits and commission glossy reports, but when it comes to real action, the enthusiasm fizzles out pretty quickly. If we truly want to make plant-based eating mainstream, we need serious investment.
That means offering financial incentives for small businesses that prioritise plant-based meals. It means subsidising ingredients that are better for the Earth and pushing education campaigns so people understand why choosing lentils over lamb isn’t just a trend but an act of care for the future.
It shouldn’t be on individuals alone to carry this shift. If someone can buy a cheaper vegan lunch that still fills them up and tastes decent, they’re more likely to make that choice again. It’s about creating a system where the sustainable option is also the easy one. Give people the information and make it affordable, and the change will come quicker than you can say jackfruit shawarma.
So yes, my main motivation for screaming about vegan food remains the protection of animals but the messaging about a rapidly disintegrating Earth is high on my agenda as well!
Congrats to Malaysian cuisine specialists Jiak on Whitecross Street for making the vegan option the cheapest thing on their menu. Let’s push for more of this.
You can order my book ‘Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t’ online now. It has been out a while now but is still a good read. You can also listen to the Audiobook read by me!
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