The percentage of vegetarians in the U.S. adult population is estimated between 2to 8 percent, according to a 2011 telephone survey by Vegetarian Resource Group. The numbers are still low for African-Americans but are growing with many A-list stars on board (Erykah Badu, Russell Simmons, MikeTyson as well as Prince and Lenny Kravitz), says TheGrio.com.

The types of vegetarians can be confusing but The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics define them as either strict vegetarian or vegan (excludes all animal products including honey), lacto-vegetarian (eats dairy products), lacto-ovo vegetarian (consumes eggs and dairy) and flexitarian or pescatarian (semi-vegetarian focus with some fish or seafood).

For many considering the lifestyle, adequate protein sources are a concern. The National Dairy Council says “animal protein is important to human health.” The USDA recommends 2to 5 ounces of protein per day (meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts or seeds), depending on the age, sex and level of physical activity of the person. See chart at choosemyplate.gov.

Conversely, plant-based diets have been the mission of chef, activist and author Bryant Terry for a decade now. Terry, who is vegan, released his cookbook The Inspired Vegan (DeCapo Lifelong) in January, wants to “illuminate the intersections of poverty, structural racism, and food insecurity” and say vegetarianism isn’t a “white people thing.” He attempts to de-stigmatize vegan eating in a short-talk on NPR and an interview on BET.com.

“Unfortunately, when the media writes about healthy eating and veganism, it focuses only on privileged white people. Meanwhile my influences came from people of color.” Terry says he grew up in Memphis, where his grandparents had an urban farm and inspired him to “grow, prepare, and appreciate good food.”