Award-winning author and nutritionist Tracye McQuirter is on a mission to make the world a better, healthier place through veganism — and she’s doing just that with her free 21-Day Vegan Fresh Start program.
With a special focus on Black women — who face some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer — McQuirter’s program aims to help people “go vegan, get healthy, and feel great for life” through a strong, supportive community and nutritional education.
The author of By Any Greens Necessary — which the New York Times credited as a reason for the rise in Black vegans in the 21st century — wanted to reach 10,000 Black women with her free program. Before the program even launched, enrollment skyrocketed to more than 15,000 people.
After the 21-day course, which provides helpful resources like meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists, McQuirter surveyed more than 600 of the participants. Here is what she found:
- 82% completed the entire 21-Day Vegan Fresh Start program
- 80% ate 8 in 10 or more of their meals completely vegan
- 68% lost weight
- 67% improved their general health
- 61% ate more vegetables
- 52% had more energy
- 46% enjoyed cooking more
- 36% gained mental clarity
- 37% lowered their blood pressure
- 33% participated in the free fitness classes
- 23% lowered their cholesterol
McQuirter plans on continuing her mission to help the world go vegan.
“It is so gratifying to see all these amazing women who have participated in the 10,000 Black Vegan Women program reaping the benefits of plant-based living,” McQuirter said in a press release about the program’s results. “I can’t wait to continue building on the success of this program to help change the health paradigm of Black women all around the world.”
