Prince, Russel Simmons, Will.I.Am, are just some famous black vegans that have been long-time advocates of a meat-free lifestyle. But Erykah Badu has been one of the more visible, prominent and outspoken vegans in the growing popularity of African American entertainers embracing plant-based living.

Erykah Badu wears a multitude of (stylish) hats. She’s one of the most talented singers and performers of all time, a best selling author, and entrepreneur, and has been a blunt promoter for wellness and happy living. In 2003, she appeared in the health documentary Holistic Wellness for the Hip-Hop Generation, where she spoke about what it means to be healthy and the dangers of low-quality food. She’s been candid with a variety of publications about wellness wisdom, tips and tricks, and holistic practices.

She told Complex in an interview, “There are actually five doctors I go by Doctor sleep, doctor diet, doctor sun, doctor nutrition, and doctor spirit.”

So what does this mega-talented star like to eat for breakfast?

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The singer-songwriter has openly discussed her dietary preferences and food loves and even did a Q&A on veganism at the Texas Veggie Fair. She told People Magazine after hosting a vegan soul-food dinner party, “I’ve been a vegetarian since my senior year of high school, that was 1989. And I’ve eaten like a vegan since 1997, so it’ll be 20 years next year. I wouldn’t call myself a vegan because I don’t subscribe to any type of organizations. It’s just what’s best for my body.  If I was a Lamborghini I would want to put the best gas in it.”

She also said, “I do the same thing every day. I get up. Drink a lot of water. Have a wheatgrass shot. Drink some green juice. Eat as healthy as I can. I’m not trying to win an award for being the best vegetarian, just want to be healthy.”

For Erykah-inspired vegan breakfast options, definitely go for this Green Juice Detox, which contains green leafy vegetables rich in chlorophyll. Or, go for this Glowing Green Juice. This Plant-Powered Muscle ‘Milk’ is also a delicious option for early mornings.

What about for lunch and dinner?

Avocado Kale Chili Salad

She said that she enjoys eating mostly raw, kale salads, avocados, fruits, fresh vegetables and hefty helpings of alkaline water. One of her favorite meals is her own, “One of my favorite dishes is my own coconut collard greens.”

With these staple vegan ingredients, you can make a variety of healthy, impactful and filling meals. For a raw salad filled with her favorites, try this Avocado Kale Chili Salad, topped with red onions and chili flakes. For a similar coconut collard green recipe, try our Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens, and make sure you cook them with a little bit of soul with this 5 Flavorful Ways to Cook Collard Greens guide.

Fresh fruit is always a good idea. But it’s important to know these 7 Tips to Keep Your Fruits Fresh Longer. You can use your fruit is any of these 15 Unique Smoothie Bowls You Can Make at Home! But always, learn How to Properly Store Your Fruit and Vegetables for Maximum Freshness, so you can enjoy them all week long.

For dinner, raw meals can be a fun and unique way to fill up. Try these Raw Portobello Burgers With Collard Greens and Guacamole, or this Raw Lemon Tahini Kale Chips recipe, or even these delicious Raw Hummus Wraps that can be customized in a few different ways, depending on your taste preferences.

“Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And to me, your soul is your intent. If your intent is pure, you are pure.“ She told VegNews. Erykah, we adore you!

For more tips on how to go vegan, look to this Step by Step Guide: How to Transition to a Vegan Diet. If you enjoy vegan recipes like this, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App, it’s available for both Android and iPhone and has free and paid versions. The app is loaded with thousands of allergy-friendly & vegan recipes/cooking tips, has hundreds of search filters and features like bookmarking, meal plans and more!

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