Chicago (AFP)

Elysabeth Alfano's dinner for Thanksgiving guests in Los Angeles will not be what most Americans will share: the traditional turkey drizzled with gravy sauce. The head and lifestyle specialist will offer a menu rather 100% vegan, without the least animal product.

An imitation turkey with chickpeas, stuffed with tomato, mushroom broth and red wine ... Only its apple pie and pumpkin pie will remind its guests of the taste of this family celebration during which the country is at home. 'stop.

Only 3% of Americans today say they follow a vegan diet - without milk, egg, meat or fish - and 6% say they are vegetarians. But foods labeled "herbal", a more attractive name although completely equivalent, begin to settle in their plates.

"Herbal food is often associated with the benefits of plants," says Michael Robbins, spokesperson for the Plant Based Foods Association, which represents more than 100 companies. including the famous Campbell Soup Company, immortalized by Andy Warhol.

"It has been proven that (this denomination) is better accepted by a larger number of consumers," he analyzes for AFP.

The menu of Elysabeth Alfano, unimaginable only ten years ago in a country deeply attached to its gastronomic traditions during the holidays, is the proof that the a priori around the non-carnivores gradually fade away.

- "Not psycho-rigid" -

Tammy Kohl will be celebrating Thanksgiving with her family of breeders, a profession that is not compatible with her food preferences, but does not anticipate a stir.

"Normally, I bring my own plate and I fill it very discreetly," she says, ensuring not to be one of these "moralizing vegans".

Johnson has adopted a plant-based diet for health reasons. She believes that this one helped her to overcome her cancer. She rejects the term "vegan" which reflects, according to her, an image that she does not adhere to, but on her plate, it's just like.

For Thanksgiving, the Colorado consultant will simply eat the meatless accompaniments and toppings of her meal, but is not afraid to consume one or two animal products from time to time.

"I'm not so psychorigid that I can not eat potatoes with butter in it, it's so small," she says.

Johnson is also pleased with the savings she has made since she abandoned the meat. "Meat and dairy products are not cheap, while rice, beans, lentils and potatoes are cheap," she says.

The savings are also in the health field, abounds Elysabeth Alfano, believing that a healthier diet would allow Americans to stop taking certain drugs such as those against cholesterol.

Sign of a possible trend in the background, many giants of fast food that Americans are fond of added a steak without meat to their card, like the "Impossible Whoppers" Burger King.

Elysabeth Alfano remarks that "in the first half of 2019, 48 million herbal burgers were sold, 95% of which were purchased by carnivores".

"Just as the car has replaced the carriage, and the computer typewriter, more and more people are adopting a plant-based diet," she says.

© 2019 AFP