Mostly Vegan, Slightly Complicated By Emma Brown

(Why I’m 90% Plant-Based and 100% Done Explaining)

Many times in my life—especially now, as a bonafide “yogi”—I’ve found myself asking no one in particular:

‘When did a plate of food become a personality test? Why are we so eager to sort ourselves into categories? Vegan, keto, paleo, omnivore, gluten-free-but-only-in-Europe… Why is the expectation so absolute? What if I just want to eat tofu and tacos in peace?’

Humans are messy. We mix. We snack across boundaries. And right now, so do I. My diet plan is also how I live my life: 80% aligned with my values, 20% space for joy, mistakes, spontaneity, and grandma’s cookies (I wish—bless her soul).

Imagine if people had ingredient labels like food:

• 90% introvert, contains traces of awkwardness

• Mostly chill, but processed in a facility that handles sarcasm

I didn’t become mostly plant-based because of a trend. Like many, I couldn’t ignore the impact—on animals, the environment, and ourselves. We know about deforestation, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We know how far removed most of us are from the reality of how our food is produced—from a blinking, breathing being to a bloodless cut wrapped in sterile plastic.

But knowledge doesn’t always inspire action. We entertain thoughts like: ‘It’s natural’, ‘I buy free-range’ or ‘One person won’t make a difference.’ The brain takes the path of least resistance—often the most comfortable rather than the most ethical. We’re emotional, habitual beings. It often takes a health scare or a visceral, disturbing moment to interrupt the autopilot.

And yet—food is more political than ever. Plant-based eating is sometimes seen not just as a diet, but as a culture war. Some resist it not because they love steak that much, but because they feel like it’s a cultural shift they didn’t vote for.

But here’s the thing:

I like tofu. I enjoy chickpeas, buckwheat, barley, rice, beans and vegetables. But more than that, I enjoy not eating animals, if and when I can.

We don’t need a few perfect vegans. We need millions of imperfect people eating fewer beings and more beans.