Nil Zacharias

There is no disputing the iconic status that the hamburger holds in American culture. If you want one symbol that rises above the diverse and ever-evolving culinary landscape in this country, it would undoubtedly be the burger. While the classic burger has been adapted and redefined using a range of...

The unappetizing and downright disturbing facts about meat and the industry that produces it is like a gift that keeps on giving. At times, it almost feels like every scientist in the world is secretly conspiring to ruin the idea of a good meaty meal by generating more bad news...

Judging from the responses to the recent "Room for Debate" feature (in the New York Times) that asked, "Is Veganism Good for Everyone?" one can safely conclude that the jury is still out on the topic. The reason is not because the science is unclear (although

People can debate all they want about whether a vegan diet is good for everyone, but there's no disputing the fact that the market for vegan food is booming. While vegans still account for only 2.5 percent of the population in the U.S. (an impressive doubling...

In recent years, concerns around food safety, health and nutrition, climate change and animal welfare have led to more people making informed food choices. But is there any evidence that this gradual shift in habits is significant enough to give rise to a viable market for healthier, plant-based foods in...

What does Valentine's Day mean to you? A commercialized holiday promoting consumerism in the name of love and romance, or a day that reminds you to appreciate loved ones in your life?

If you're trying to be mindful of your lifestyle choices, this day presents some unique challenges. Let's...

Traditions set apart Holidays from any ordinary day of the year, but all traditions start somewhere and they're not immune to change. Thanksgiving is one such example that has come a long way from its religious roots to its modern consumerist incarnations of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Through all...

There are several reasons to be very excited about the Occupy Wall Street protests that seem to be spreading like wildfire across the U.S. and internationally. One can't help but admire the decentralized, leaderless, grassroots nature of the protests, the creative, uber-democratic and transparent nature of the General...

The earth's population recently hit 7 billion, out of which more than a billion people worldwide are starving. At this rate, it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more than 9 billion people living on the planet, leading to potential food, energy...

Food is undoubtedly a very contentious issue that divides the American public, with no shortage of opinions on what's right or wrong, healthy or unhealthy and eco-friendly or unsustainable. However, even when it comes to such a polarizing topic, there is common...

When most people find out that I don't consume animal products, the first question I'm often asked is if it's difficult to get by on such a restrictive diet. I love responding to the question (it beats having to discuss how I get enough protein and calcium!), but...

Gloria Steinem summed up one of the challenges of life very well when she said, "The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn."

This quote rings especially true when it comes to what we choose to eat. Our food choices...

When my wife and I started One Green Planet, we were certain that no platform focused on spreading good ideas that benefit people, animals and the planet would be complete without showcasing the most delicious instrument of change... vegan food! So, we tapped into some of the best...

Most people are very intimidated by the idea of eliminating animal products from their lives. This isn't surprising, considering we live in a society that's largely built on the use of animals for food, clothing, as raw materials and also to test...

Why do people who care about the welfare of animals continue to eat them? This seemingly simple question often leads to spirited debates about morality, nutrition, sustainability, and can even upset and enrage people who have barely spent much time thinking about the issue. When most of us find out...

The Food and Drug Administration recently released nine new graphic warning labels that will be required on all cigarettes sold after September 2012. Warning labels on cigarette packets were first required in the U.S. back in 1965, following a Surgeon General's report about the dangers of cigarette smoking....

Chances are, if you get into a conversation about the conditions in which animals are raised for food in the United States, you will hear the word "humane" sooner or later. This is true no matter whether a hunting enthusiast, conscientious omnivore or vegan is involved in the conversation. No...

Why bother going vegan? Aren't there a million more important things to worry about? What about world peace? What about poverty? What about human suffering? What about plant suffering? Vegans just seem like misguided idealists; moreover, isn't veganism extreme, inconvenient and ultimately only for people who are hippies,...