Student-Led Campaign “Lettuce Eat” Promotes Green Eating to Hong Kong Foreign Domestic Helpers for Environmental and Health Benefits

Founded by Kristen Poon, a Form 5 student in Hong Kong, Lettuce Eat is an independent campaign aimed at promoting plant-based eating through knowledge sharing online and engagement activities offline.

Kristen grew up with 6 cats, leading her to form a deep emotional bond with animals from a young age. Concerns for animal welfare as well as the environment have inspired her to become a vegetarian two years ago. Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.

Kristen told Meatless Movement that she hopes to share the experience from her personal journey. She understands and respects personal priorities and choices of others and believes that small changes can also bring positive impact.

Please tell us more about yourself

I am Kristen, a grade 11 student from Hong Kong.

Eat to save, choose to protect
Lettuce Eat

I have been a vegetarian for 3 years. Having grown up in a household of cats, I have always felt a strong emotional bond with animals. Moreover, being a part of my school’s environmental protection club, I have become more aware of the environmental implications of meat-eating. Out of concerns for animal welfare and environmental issues, I decided to pursue a vegetarian diet to alleviate animal suffering and ease environmental degradation.

Our food choice can help fight climate change
Lettuce Eat

I have always been a very picky eater. After becoming vegetarian, I had to incorporate many new foods into my meals to compensate for the loss of meat in my diet. Interestingly, I found myself more accepting of vegetables I used to hate and I have even grown to like them!

I feel happier as I am contributing to the wider community by reducing meat consumption to safeguard animal welfare and ease climate threats. I also feel healthier: I have become more aware of my food proportions after becoming a vegetarian. This has helped me ensure that there is sufficient protein and other nutrients in my diet.

A student-led organization dedicated to promoting a plant-based diet amongst foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong
Lettuce Eat

Awareness of the benefits of green diets has grown rapidly in recent years in Hong Kong. Plant-based menu items and ingredients have become a staple in many restaurants and supermarkets. There are over 360,000 foreign domestic helpers in HK primarily from the Philippines and Indonesia. They can easily be preparing over 500,000 meals a day for families in Hong Kong. It is equally important to raise awareness amongst this community as they share a major role in making everyday food choices.

In October 2021, hoping to gain a better understanding of the foreign domestic helper about plant-based eating, a survey was conducted amongst 100 helpers. The survey revealed that while many respondents recognized the health implications of going plant-based, not many realized the environmental impact of green eating on our planet. The Philippines has always been hard hit by adverse weather such as typhoons, only with increased frequency and severity due to climate change.

There is every reason to raise awareness amongst the domestic helper community of the threat to their country and how a slight lifestyle adjustment could help fight climate change.

Why we eat what we eat and how we can promote healthier and nutritious diets to the community has always been of interest to me
Lettuce Eat

As a follow up to the survey, a plant-based food tasting event was held for around 30 Filipino domestic helpers at Ahimsa Buffet, a vegetarian restaurant in Central. Before the food-tasting began, a 20 minute presentation was given to introduce them to the impact of green eating on climate change and relevance to the Philippines. Through the food-tasting event, participants were introduced to a variety of healthy and tasty plant-based dishes.

Lettuce Eat will be organizing more initiatives in future and welcomes ideas and collaboration with others who share the same belief and passion.

You can always start small – having just one plant-based meal a day or a week
Lettuce Eat

Becoming vegetarian can be difficult initially since meat is usually a main component of our meals. I recommend trying different plant-based meats, such as omnipork and impossible beef, which are tasty, high in protein, and resemble the taste of meat. The “desiring meat” phase will pass very soon and you will discover many nutritious plant-based dishes on your meatless journey!

So go for it! There are so many types of meatless food nowadays that there is bound to be something you will enjoy. There is no harm in trying new foods and you may even grow to like plant-based dishes!

Plant-based diets are healthy – this is not always true
Lettuce Eat

Research has shown that some plant-based eaters tend to consume more calories (e.g. rice, noodles) to make up for the loss of meat in their diet, which may lead to weight gain. Plant-based eaters should still be cautious of their consumption choices and ensure there are enough nutrients in each meal. Doing research and searching for vegan cooking video online certainly helps!

I am currently figuring out my diet plans and preparing to transition into a vegan diet soon!
Also, I am planning to major in psychology in university to learn more about the influences on eating behavior and how interventions can help promote a more balanced, environmentally-friendly diet.