Emily Belarmino, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, was interviewed recently for WalletHub, a financial advising company. She participated in an expert panel asked for recommendations on economical ways to switch from a meat-based to vegan/vegetarian diet.
A few of the questions Belarmino was ask during the interview included tips for adopting a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle on a budget, the value of discounting fruit and vegetable purchases for food stamp users, and what parents can do to encourage kids to eat more vegetables. Her thoughtful and practical responses are part of an article entitled, “2021’s Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians“, which compared 100 of the most populated cities in the United States.
Belarmino’s research explores the “social, economic, and environmental determinants of dietary intake, and how food-related policies and programs can be leveraged to improve diet quality, human health, and food system sustainability.” She is investigating how children and adults can include more fruits and vegetables in their diets, particularly people from economically vulnerable households, and how unmet basic needs can be a barrier for food security and healthy food choices.