CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte doctor turned to a more plant-based diet two years ago and wrote a book to make it easier for others to do the same.

What You Need To Know 

Dr. Monique May turned to a more plant-based diet two years ago 

A Gallup poll shows more people are cutting back on meat 

May is the author of "Doc, Fix My Plant," a book of vegan recipes 

Dr. Monique May loves to spend time in the kitchen, and her cooking doesn’t involve animal products. However, she admits she’s not fully vegan, eating honey, fish and chicken ocassionally.

May, a family medicine doctor with over 20 years of clinical experience, has been passionate about healthy eating for a while. Two years ago when she turned 50, she decided to change her eating habits.

“I wanted to be better. I’ve always been pretty healthy, but just wanted to make sure I was going into my later years as healthy as I could,” May said.

She began experimenting with vegan recipes, enrolled in a vegan program at a culinary school and wrote a book called "Doc, Fix My Plate."

"I think sometimes there’s this perception that being vegan or vegetarian is something only certain people do or can afford to do,” May said. 

She added several fruits and vegetables provide protein needed.

With her book, she wants to show it can be simple. 

“It doesn’t have to be this unsurmountable challenge. In fact, you can start with something once a week. I call it meatless Mondays,” May said.

A Gallup poll shows more people are cutting back on meat, primarily for health reasons. 

In 2019, 23% of them said they ate less meat than the year before. 

For May, losing her grandmother to stroke complications at the age of 67 emphasized the importance of healthy eating. 

“It hits differently when you have someone close to you, and I have other family members who have the same struggle as well,” May said. 

She hopes her book helps others live healthier lives. She said thus far she’s happy with the results, which include less joint pain and lower blood pressure. 

“I’ve noticed my knees hurt a little less when I eat more fruits and vegetables, so it definitely pays off,” May said. 

Doc, Fix My Plate is May’s second book about healthy eating and part of her brand Physician in the Kitchen.