World Vegan Day: Why more Brummies are trying meat-free meals

The actual number of people who have stopped eating meat completely, here in the West Midlands may come as a bit of a surprise
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Every year on November 1, vegans across the world champion and celebrate their vegan lifestyle. They believe that choosing to not eat meat is beneficial to your health, the environment and prevents animals being slaughtered for food.

This year World Vegan Day coincides with the start of COP26, and including meat-free days in our diets is one of the key ways environment campaigners have highlighted we can help address the climate change issues.

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The actual number of people who have stopped eating meat completely, here in the West Midlands may come as a bit of a surprise.

Meat-free options are being highlighted on World Vegan Day Meat-free options are being highlighted on World Vegan Day
Meat-free options are being highlighted on World Vegan Day

A recent YouGov survey has revealed that 82 per cent of people in our region are meat-eaters with a further 11 per cent claiming to be “flexitarian” – those who eat a mostly plant based diet but will occasionally eat meat.

Research by the Vegan Society has found that 1 in 5 of us (20%) have reduced the amount of meat we eat since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, with 12% saying they’ve minimised their eggs and dairy intake.

Further studies by UBS have found that the number of people who tried plant-based meat alternatives increased from 48% to 53% between March and November last year – with around half saying that they would continue to do so.

So what to do people in Birmingham think about veganism and going meat-free?

Frankie from BA-HA at the Rainbow

Frankie Heekin, Co-Owner BA-HA Vegan KitchenFrankie Heekin, Co-Owner BA-HA Vegan Kitchen
Frankie Heekin, Co-Owner BA-HA Vegan Kitchen

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One person encouraging people towards a plant-based diet is Frankie Heekin. Together with business partner Becky Powell, they have recently moved their acclaimed vegan kitchen BA-HA to the newly refurbished Rainbow Pub in Digbeth.

Both Frankie and Becky quit their jobs in 2018 to set up the business after being fed up of the poor range of vegan options available in Birmingham. They offer a menu of familiar favourites such as a Sunday lunch, Kentucky burgers and lasagnes. Which Becky describes as “Something for everyone.”

Frankie describes BA-HA’s offer as humane food rather than vegan due to negative connotations with that label.

Rainbow Pub in DigbethRainbow Pub in Digbeth
Rainbow Pub in Digbeth

Frankie welcomes meat eaters to BA-HA hoping that their cuisine will encourage people to eat meat free on a more regular basis:

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“If they could just open their minds to it you can have so much fun just learning about food again.

“The fact that McDonalds has introduced a plant burger show how popular it’s becoming – if the big boys are doing it now, it just speaks volumes of how much times are changing!”

Lynda: Changes what she eatsLynda: Changes what she eats
Lynda: Changes what she eats

Mum Lynda

She said: “We definitely eat less meat. We’re not eating vegan food, but we are eating less meat. I think a lot of the vegan food must take a lot of energy to make. I prefer to have fresh vegetable and nuts and fruits and seeds and things like that. We have definitely changed our diet and our children have too.”

Daniel - Eating more meatDaniel - Eating more meat
Daniel - Eating more meat

Dad Daniel

He said: “I eat more and more meat by the day. It’s just something I’ve always had in my diet so I don’t really want to change it.”

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“But I’ve got two little ones who have to go with the vegan options a lot of the time, so its good that its more widespread and more accessible, not just for the vegans but also those who have dietary requirements.

Meat-eater Heather

She said: “I do like vegan food, but I also like my beef. Everyone’s got to do it.”

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