19 January 2026

On this day when we honor the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., I wanted to delve into the topic of justice. I’m a big fan of fairness. Yes, plant based diet is great for our health and longevity. But there is also deep satisfaction in knowing that our food choices can reduce animal suffering and slow ecological harm rather expediting disaster.

I’m well aware that those around me don’t always share my values. That’s ok - I don’t judge - but I also won’t apologize for my own choices. Part of my role, at times, is simply to help people notice their own values. Eating with a conscience is really the next step after mindfulness. We have to notice before we can decide. And even then, our choices may not always align perfectly.

The problem is we often don’t realize how many decisions are made for us. Becoming an educated consumer is one way to take back that power. If you have privilege and opportunity, it’s worth asking where your food comes from, how it’s produced, and what its impact is on animals, people, and the planet.

Which brings me back to justice.

Have you heard about the social determinants of health? It’s a fact that something as simple as the color of your skin or the zip code where you live can have a huge impact on your health.

I’ve spent most of my nutrition career in public health, working with underserved communities. Things many of us take for granted - such as access to whole, unprocessed foods - are everyday challenges for some. That’s not fair.

It’s unfair that junk food companies target poor communities with advertising and food swamps, and that a nutrient-deficient bag of potato chips (after many layers of processing and packaging) is cheaper than a healthy baked potato. Do you think it’s right that we, the taxpayers, should foot the bill for the high rates of chronic disease caused by certain food-like substances, while the companies that make and promote them rake in record profits?

It’s absolutely not right that the richest countries contribute disproportionately to climate change, while the poorest ones suffer the worst consequences. Or that wealthier Americans consume more animal foods (which require more land, water and energy to produce), while many lower-income populations struggle to purchase even “cheap” ultraprocessed foods.

Moving our food system in a plant forward direction has the power to redress some of these inequities. And every time we “vote with our fork” by choosing a whole foods plant based meal, we are contributing to this worthwhile mission.

It’s fortunate that choosing to eat plant forward is good for human health, both individually and collectively. It requires fewer resources and creates less emissions. It reduces risks of chronic disease and promotes a healthy lifespan. A food system focused on predominantly plant foods would be fairer for all, with our land providing enough for everyone. To top it off, the food is delicious!

I’ve sometimes wondered: if all of these benefits didn’t align so neatly, would I eat differently? I’m not sure. But thankfully, I don’t have to choose.

And neither do you…