HOW VERY 2020
CORY BOOKER COULD BE OUR FIRST VEGAN PRESIDENT
Sen. Cory Booker’s launch of his bid for the White House on Feb. 1 raises the possibility that the United States could see its first vegan president.
How very 2020.
Mr. Booker is the fourth Democratic senator and second black candidate to enter the race, in what’s shaping up to be an increasingly crowded field. The 49-year-old New Jersey senator could also be the first bachelor president.
But it appears that his philosophy of promoting “universal love” applies to his dietary choices, which — particularly against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s affinity for fast food — make him a standout amid the global rise of plant-based eating. Given this list of U.S. presidents’ favorite foods, Mr. Booker could be a dietary trailblazer in the White House.
Veganism, of course, is the practice of abstaining from animal products, mostly in the diet. Many apply the practice to clothing and other avenues as well. Some do it for the animals; some, for the planet and others, for personal health or beliefs.
“I find myself more and more rejoicing in the delicious simplicity of a whole food, plant-based diet,” the politician wrote on Facebook last May, sharing a picture of lunch consisting of roasted cauliflower and other vegan items.
How will this play out in Iowa for Mr. Booker?
On “The View” on a recent morning, Meghan McCain asked Mr. Booker, “What does a vegan eat at the Iowa State Fair?” Mr. Booker responded, “I won’t eat the pork chop on a stick, but there will be a lot of fried stuff.”
Indeed, Mr. Booker is a self-described “junk-food vegan,” but he’s trying to do better. He fasts intermittently and focuses on eating unprocessed food with simple ingredients, which have helped him lose weight and increase his energy. He also loves a good Impossible burger, he said.
“Finding my way to optimal health is not a destination as much of a mindful journey,” he wrote. “This year has been less about guilt and more about good food, less about casting judgment on myself and more about finding joy in the goodness of a whole food, plant based, non-processed diet. The journey continues. May we all be kinder, to others and to ourselves.”
He isn’t alone in his social-media posts bolstering the lifestyle. Veganism is on the rise and is being increasingly accepted, especially in the celebrity realm.
At the Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan in May 2017, former President Barack Obama urged the world to eat less meat. But he confirmed that he is not vegetarian, let alone vegan. His pals Beyonce and Jay Z are, though. In fact, the music power couple partnered with the Green Print Project recently to encourage people to switch to plant-based diets. Doing so could earn you free tickets to their shows for life.
Numerous celebrities have often shined a spotlight on the lifestyle. Recently, WWE star Daniel Bryant debuted a new vegan championship belt; comedian Ellen DeGeneres did a bit on trying out the diet on her Netflix special, “Relatable”; singer Miley Cyrus essentially food-shames meat eaters and actor Mena Massoud, who will play the titular role in Disney’s live-action “Aladdin,” launched a plant-based food travel show called “Evolving Vegan.” “Tickling Giants” star Bassem Youssef has also chronicled his plant-based journey.
In Los Angeles last year, City Councilman Paul Koretz wanted to require all concessionaires at city-owned properties, including all terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and the local Meals on Wheels program, to offer at least one vegan dish.
According to the UK-based Vegan Society, vegan-related Google search trends quadrupled between 2012 and 2017, gaining three times more interest than vegetarian and gluten-free searches. And, if the world went vegan, says the society, it could save 8 million human lives by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds and lead to healthcare-related savings and avoid climate damages of $1.5 trillion.
Still unknown — whether Mr. Booker will work this information into his presidential platform.