The boom in going vegan is alive and kicking in Kings Heath. But where are the hotspots? Jovita Strolyte reports
The vegan diet has become very popular. Increasingly people have decided to go vegan for ethical, environmental or health reasons. The Vegan Society defines veganism as ‘a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose‘. It also claims that the number of people who say they are vegan in the UK has quadrupled in just 4 years, from 150,000 in 2014 to 600,000 last year.
Although the Vegan Society was established 70 years ago, the way of life has been around much longer. Evidence of people choosing to avoid animal products can be traced back over 2,000 years!
So Birmingham Eastside is asking ‘Where can you get your vegan fix in Kings Heath?
XOVER NUTRITION – 61 The Parade
If you’re an animal lover, vegan shops are full of replacements for meat, eggs, and dairy products. Kings Heath’s first ever store is “Xover Nutrition”, which opened seven months ago. It sells vegan food, drink, skincare and even homewares.
Vegan living could also be more healthy for you. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegans are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure than meat-eaters.
Bloom – 32 Poplar Road
Bloom has a whole host of vegetarian and vegan dishes on their menu. Alasdair Houston, the owner said, “We decided to create more vegan options in our menu because it is getting popularity these days and many people are asking for it. The place is really popular and sometimes it is even hard to find a free space for a brunch.”
What is next?
Adopting a vegan lifestyle is something that seems to be spreading all around the world, and fast. So perhaps you’ll see more places like “Xover Nutrition” and “Bloom” popping up near you.
