Why I Ditched Meat (But Still Love My Culture): A Real Look at Going Plant-Based Without Giving Up Flavor

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The Smell of My Childhood Was Seasoned and Slow-Simmered

Before I ever knew words like “vegan” or “plant-based,” I knew what it meant to come home and smell the aroma of something soulful simmering in the kitchen.

Food was a love language in our home. It was how we showed up for each other. How we celebrated, grieved, and gathered.

There were recipes passed down through generations, some without measurements—just instincts. A pinch of this. A handful of that. Cook it ‘til it smells right.

And almost always, those dishes featured meat.

So when I started exploring plant-based eating, the biggest fear wasn’t whether I could do it. It was: Would I lose the part of me that feels like home? Was it possible to go plant-based without giving up flavor?

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Culture Is More Than Meat—It’s Memory, Meaning, and Magic

As I wrestled with this shift in my lifestyle, I had to sit with a powerful truth:

Culture is more than the ingredients we use.

It’s how we gather around the table. It’s the rhythm of chopping vegetables while music plays. It’s the way someone always insists you take a second helping. It’s laughter, storytelling, and legacy served alongside every bite.

That doesn’t disappear because you stop eating meat. It evolves.

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The Turning Point: My Health Was Screaming for Change

My decision to ditch meat wasn’t a trend. It was a wake-up call.

After years of health challenges—gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and overwhelming fatigue—I started paying closer attention to how food made me feel.

Meat-heavy meals left me bloated, tired, and inflamed. I was sluggish after family gatherings, even when the food tasted amazing.

Then came the moment: a regular doctor’s visit where the numbers weren’t where they should be… again.

And it hit me—I can’t keep doing this. My body is asking me to change.

I didn’t want to keep repeating generational health struggles. I wanted to model something better for my kids.

And so, I made the pivot. Not overnight. Not perfectly. But intentionally.

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I Didn’t Want a Salad—I Wanted Flavor

Let me be clear: I wasn’t trying to become someone who only ate quinoa bowls and kale.

I still wanted:

• Warm, comforting stews
• Bold, layered spices
• Foods that made me do a happy dance after the first bite

So I started experimenting—one dish at a time.

I asked myself: What do I actually love about my cultural dishes?

The answer wasn’t the meat. It was the flavor. The heat. The richness. The love that went into every step! It was then I decided to experiment and prove to myself that I could go plant-based without giving up flavor!

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7 Delicious Truths About Ditching Meat Without Losing Your Culture

1. The Flavor Isn’t in the Meat—It’s in the Seasoning

The flavor comes from the garlic, the onions, the herbs, the simmering spices. Once I started layering those same ingredients onto chickpeas, lentils, jackfruit, or mushrooms—I was blown away. My culture didn’t leave. It was still on the plate.

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2. You Can Recreate Almost Any Cultural Dish—Just Differently

I began recreating family favorites with plants:

• My stews now feature hearty lentils and root veggies
• My tacos are packed with seasoned black beans, smoky jackfruit savory sweet potatoes and more!
• My family rice dishes are vibrant and satisfying with mushrooms, tofu, or sweet plantains

You don’t need to give up your favorite dishes. You just learn to remake them with love—and plants.

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3. Your Ancestors Probably Ate More Plants Than You Think

Our ancestors ate mostly plants. Meat was a luxury. A celebration—not an everyday staple. By going plant-based, I wasn’t abandoning tradition—I was getting back to the roots of it.

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4. You Can Still Eat with Your Family and Honor Your Journey

I worried I’d be “the weird one” at the family table. But instead of preaching, I brought dishes I loved and shared them. The response?

• “Wait, this is vegan?”
• “I didn’t know you could make it like that.”
• “Can I get the recipe?”

Now, my plant-based versions often disappear first.

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5. Food Is an Evolution, and So Is Culture

Cultures grow and change. I'm not trying to recreate every dish exactly—I’m preserving the spirit, the story, the soul—without sacrificing my health.

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6. You Can Set New Traditions Without Losing the Old Ones

I’m starting new traditions:

• A plant-based soul food Sunday
• Family taco night with various plant-based filling, like lentils or cauliflower (endless possibilities here!)
• “Veganize this!” challenges where we rework family recipes with plants

My kids are learning food can evolve and still be full of love.

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7. Going Plant-Based Can Be a Form of Resistance and Healing

The food system wasn’t built for our wellness. Choosing plants is my way of saying: “I deserve better.” It’s healing. It’s legacy. It’s love.

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The Food Still Feels Like Home—Now It Loves Me Back

I didn’t give up flavor. I found more of it. The garlic still sizzles. The food still hugs my soul. But now—my body thanks me too.

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How to Start Your Own Plant-Based Cultural Journey

1. Pick one dish you love—and try a plant-based version.
2. Stock your spice cabinet with the herbs and blends that remind you of home.
3. Don’t be afraid to remix—try jackfruit, lentils, mushrooms, tofu, or tempeh.
4. Make it a family experiment and let everyone taste-test.
5. Remember: It’s about connection, not perfection.

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You Can Ditch the Meat and Keep the Magic

Food is more than ingredients. It’s energy. It’s identity. It’s healing.

When I went plant-based, I didn’t leave my culture behind—I carried it with me. Spices, soul, and all. You can too.Join my news letter and discover a growing list of ways to go plant-based without giving up flavor.

You're not betraying your people—you’re honoring them while choosing a future that feels better in your body.