How to eat like a vegan drag queen

If you need proof that vegan diets and plant-based lifestyles are trending, all you have to do is look at some of our society’s strongest cultural reference points: drag queens.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star Monét X Change had her own completely vegan talk show in 2022, thanks to Alpha Foods. New York-based queen Honey LaBronx (drag daughter of Drag racing Winner Bob the Drag Queen) is a committed vegan and human rights activist. But before drag queens won Emmys and appeared as the latest must-have in pop music videos, there were pioneers like Jackie Beat.

Jackie Beat is an icon in the drag world, with her 30-plus year career stretching from New York City – where her one-woman show “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love” ran for a record-breaking 18 months – to Los Angeles – where she worked as a writer for Hollywood’s elite, including (the vegan-curious) Jennifer Coolidge, Rosie O’Donnell and Joan Rivers, to name a few.

Jackie Beat/Instagram

And at 61, the drag artist shows no signs of slowing down (you can catch her as Dorothy Zbornak in Los Angeles’ hit). Golden Girls Live Show or in their own OutTv series Dr Jackie), but she is expanding her reach and fan base, becoming an outspoken advocate for veganism after changing her diet in 2023.

So we met Jackie to find out: What food gives an unstoppable vegan drag queen energy?

Nadamoo!

About her favorite vegan snacks

“Oh my god, where do I start!? I love these vegan, gluten-free snacks from PeaTos—rhymes with Cheetos, get it? They make crispy, cheese-free puffs that are, in my opinion (the only one that really counts), better than the original. They also have a fiery hot version, but I don’t even buy that because very spicy food makes my nose run and that’s just not cute when you’re in a lady costume. They even make a Funyun-like onion ring snack.

I’m also a sucker for NadaMoo frozen snack bites. They’re basically scoops of vegan ice cream and they come in (in order of preference…) salted caramel, peanut butter, and orange creme. OK, one more! Goodie Girl Magical Animal Crackers are vegan and gluten-free and so delicious! I love that they’re not too sweet.”

OmniFoods

About your kitchen must-haves

“The Omni Classic Plant-Based Fish-Style Fillets are so good straight out of the air fryer with a little vegan mayo mixed with sweet cucumber relish on a gluten-free flour tortilla. I miss fish the most, so these are right up my alley. See what I did there? Fish… boat… whatever.

One of my favorite meals when I’m feeling lazy is Trader Joe’s frozen Thai green curry with tofu leaves and jasmine rice. I often chop up a few extra tofu leaves (also available frozen individually at TJ’s) to give the dish a little more protein and make it a little more filling.

And finally, I am totally in love with Bragg’s nutritional yeast. Yes, I realize that everyone is and that saying that is like saying the sky is blue or I’m beautiful, but there may be relatively new vegans reading this and they should know! I put it on and in everything. I even sprinkle it right into a bag of store-bought chips or popcorn that needs a little extra flavor.”

@vegantraplord, @veganhackspod, @vegan_punks

About her social media favorites

“Once again, where do I start!? I really appreciate @veganhackspod because, just like me, he is always on the lookout for a good deal! And I appreciate the fact that he is not a skinny blonde woman in yoga pants. Dare I say that? I also love Tommy The Mushroom Man at @vegantraplord_ and Jess & Dan at @vegan_punks.

All these people are so passionate about veganism and seem to be spreading the message for the right reasons. I follow a few accounts that seem a bit too commercial and self-serving. And I’m a shameless whore!”

Jackie Beat/Instagram

About her favorite vegan restaurants in Los Angeles

“I love the spicy mint salad at My Vegan in Pasadena. With all of its limes, chilies, and raw red onions, it’s the closest thing to Thai larb. I order it with either mushrooms or soy chicken. I also order their Pad See Ew and then build perfect bites of warm, wobbly noodles and the cold, crisp salad. It’s literally my favorite flavor/texture combination. To die for! Plus, the place is very affordable. Honorable mention: The gluten-free steak quesadilla at Something Vegan in Toluca Lake is insanely delicious!”

Hart House

Any last minute favorites?

“I really like the deluxe hot ‘n’ crispy chick’n sandwich at Kevin Hart’s new vegan chain, Hart House. I wish I had something succinct or sophisticated to say about beauty, travel, or books… but at this point in my life, my idea of a good time is a great vegan version of a Nashville hot chicken sandwich served with tater tots.”

You can find more interviews on plant-based nutrition like this one here:

Richard Bowie (@wichiebowie) is the editorial director of VegNews based in Los Angeles, California.

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle and only recommend products that we believe will enhance our lives. Occasionally, articles may contain shopping links from which we may earn a small commission. This in no way affects the editorial integrity of VegNews.