Dietary Modification
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDietary Intervention: Restaurant
Participants will receive instruction on how to follow a vegan diet for three weeks and will receive gift cards to local vegan soul food restaurants.
BEHAVIORALDietary Intervention: Standard/Grocery
Participants will receive instruction on how to follow a vegan diet for three weeks and will receive gift cards to grocery stores.
Sponsors
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
University of South Carolina
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Self-identify as African American * Be between the ages of 18-65 years * Live in the Columbia, SC/Midlands area * Be able to attend all meetings with the study coordinator * Be willing to be randomized to either condition
Exclusion criteria
* Currently following a vegan diet * Under the age of 18 years old * Over the age of 65 years old * Not willing to attend meetings with the study coordinator * Not willing to be randomized to either condition
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary acceptability using the Food Acceptability Questionnaire | Baseline and three weeks | Changes in acceptability of plant-based diets via a validated questionnaire |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight using a digital scale | Baseline and three weeks | Body weight assess objectively via calibrated digital scale. |
| Perceptions of Plant-based diets using the Perceived Barriers and Benefits Questionnaire | Baseline and three weeks | Changes in perceptions of plant-based diets via a validated questionnaire |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed