The V Word: Vegan. It's what's Trending in Hollywood
“Vegan” is a word we’re hearing in Hollywood a lot these days. January is often described as “Veganuary” for those hoping to make some positive changes in their diets after holiday excess. However, the trend seems to have really gotten underway in Hollywood after “Best Actor” winner Joaquin Phoenix reportedly asked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to go plant-based for the Golden Globe Awards. HFPA President Lawrence Soria said the decision to go plant-based was to raise environmental awareness about food consumption and waste. The Critics Choice Awards quickly followed suit for its January 12 broadcast as did The Screen Actors Guild for its January 19 ceremonies.
Joaquin Phoenix didn’t stop his activism with the Golden Globes. After winning the SAG ‘Best Actor” award for his performance in “Joker,” Phoenix quickly switched from awards show mode to his role as an activist when he joined with like-minded cohorts from LA Animal Save to give water to and comfort pigs at a meatpacking plant in Los Angeles. In a Facebook video the 45-year-old actor said "People need to know the truth. I think we have the obligation to do that, those of us that have seen it for what it really is. We have an obligation to expose it, so I have to be here."
Joaquin Phoenix didn’t stop his activism with the Golden Globes. After winning the SAG ‘Best Actor” award for his performance in “Joker,” Phoenix quickly switched from awards show mode to his role as an activist when he joined with like-minded cohorts from LA Animal Save to give water to and comfort pigs at a meatpacking plant in Los Angeles. In a Facebook video the 45-year-old actor said "People need to know the truth. I think we have the obligation to do that, those of us that have seen it for what it really is. We have an obligation to expose it, so I have to be here."
Peter Dinklage wrapped up his role as “Tyrion” in “Game of Thrones” nicely with SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. The 50-year-old actor explains his plant-based lifestyle this way. “I like animals, all animals. I wouldn't hurt a cat or a dog - or a chicken or a cow. And I wouldn't ask someone else to hurt them for me. That's why I'm a vegetarian.”
For years, Leonardo DiCaprio has been an avid environmentalist. DiCaprio is nominated for an Academy Award for his leading role in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. When he’s not wowing audiences on-screen, he’s impressing fans behind the scenes. The 35-year-old actor used his influence to draw attention to the environmental damage caused by factory farming as a producer on the award-winning documentary “Cowspiracy. Factory Farming contributes about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, including 37% of global methane and 65% of global nitrous oxide emissions. The agency also reports the livestock industry is also responsible for 91% deforestation in the Amazon, consumes up to 30% of all drinking water worldwide and takes up 45% of habitable land. Lately, DiCaprio has been putting his money into successful investments in plant-based products, including Beyond Meat, non-dairy milk producer Califa Farms and the snack food Hippeas.
Whether for the planet, the animals or for health, more and more celebrities are turning to veganism, and they’re not alone. The number of people adopting a plant-based diet increased from 1% to 6% between 2014 and 2017 according to a report from Global Data.
*Are you considering a foray into the plant-based world? An easy-to-follow and free resource is the Daily Dozen App by Dr. Michael Gregor