The Plant-Based and Soul-Full Study: Increasing African American Adults' Perceived Benefits of Consuming Plant-Based Foods

The goal of this study is to examine if exposure to vegan soul food restaurants can increase African American adults' perceived benefits of consuming plant-based foods more so than standard guidelines. Although the health benefits of vegan diets are well documented, many people are reluctant to commit to a vegan diet long term. Various issues like food preparation, a lack of social support, or other barriers are often mentioned as reasons why people can't be vegan. This study will (1) find out if short term exposure (i.e. 3 weeks) to culturally tailored curriculum focusing on the health benefits of consuming plant-based foods increases African American adults' perceptions of adopting a vegan diet. And (2) if eating out a few times a week at vegan soul food restaurants can further increase African American adults' perceived benefits of a vegan than having to prepare all meals at home.

Study participants will receive counseling and informational materials from a trained research assistant to follow a vegan diet for 3 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a standard group or a restaurant group. The standard group will receive gift cards to shop at local super markets. The restaurant group will receive gift cards to eat out a few times a week at local vegan soul food restaurants. Changes in individuals' perceived benefits and barriers to consuming plant-based foods will be assessed with a validated survey at baseline and at the end of the 3 week period.