Danielle Medina is a plant-based nutritionist, Food for Life instructor and founder of Fit N Play Mama Lifestyle Coaching Service.
As a Newark-based food science and nutrition educator, I recently had the privilege of presenting to a health class at Alexis I. du Pont High School in Wilmington about the power of a plant-based diet, including its cost-effectiveness at a time when grocery prices continue to rise and food costs in Delaware exceed the national average.
The students, from socioeconomically and culturally diverse backgrounds, were thoroughly engaged. They listened, asked thoughtful questions and tried and enjoyed the samples I prepared, including roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili. We discussed how consumers can save money by building meals around plant-based staples, like oats, beans and frozen and canned vegetables. We also talked about simple swaps to make food healthier — like beans for beef in a burrito or vegetables for processed meat on a cheeseless pizza — and the health benefits of snacking on things such as apples and peanut butter instead of candy…