Plant-based cuisine has become a familiar feature on menus and in the supermarket.
A plant-based diet is in essence the same as a vegan diet, but someone observing the former will not necessarily go out of their way to avoid other things which contain animal products.
Someone who eats a plant-based diet may still for example wear leather, use products containing beeswax and drink wine which has been produced using isinglass.
Consuming a higher proportion of plants, including fruits and vegetables, and no to very limited amount of animal products including meat, animal fats, eggs and dairy has been seen to contribute to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and premature death according to many studies.
Plant-based and vegan cuisines have exploded into the mainstream market in recent years.
As the term doesn’t have a specific definition, it works for people who don’t fit into a specific category, giving the freedom to label oneself without committing to a stricter lifestyle choice.