Fact sheet written by Christian Abrate, Viola Ghitti, Nicola Silipo Caliò from the Gastronomic Design Sciences course of the UNISG Bachelor of Science in Gastronomic Sciences and Cultures.
Type: Instagram
Director and actor: Carleigh Bodrug
Distribution year: 2016
Language: English
@plantyou is one of the world’s most popular Instagram profiles dedicated to plant-based cooking, with more than 5 million followers. Founded in 2016 by Carleigh Bodrug, the project grew out of a personal journey towardplant-based eating, initially undertaken for ethical reasons but reinforced by health reasons. After her father was diagnosed with colon cancer, Carleigh discovered the link between meat consumption and increased risk of certain diseases, which prompted her to completely rethink her lifestyle and share the transformation on social media.
With her Academic training in journalism, the author has been able to communicate herself in a clear, accessible and visually appealing way, prompting her followers to become passionate about the plant-based diet. Her previously acquired skills also allowed her to easily create engaging content that blends aesthetics, practicality, and information. Posts on @plantyou’s Instagram have quickly become recognizable for the schematic and colorful info-graphics that show steps for making vegan recipes step by step. The channel is therefore ideal for users who are new to vegan cooking or want to experiment with different, healthy recipes.
Particular emphasis within the girl’s social contentis given to thereuse of raw materials and zero waste. Indeed, Carleigh argues that vegetable cooking, in addition to having benefits on the body, must first and foremost have a positive impact on the planet. Many initiatives are therefore proposed on the channels with the aim of incentivizing users not to produce squander in the kitchen and reuse waste or by-products within other preparations. Through her “Scrappy Cooking” initiative, for example, the author has raised awareness among thousands of people about the value of food and the ‘importance of more conscious consumption: without waste.
Carleigh has also written a book, “PlantYou,” published in 2022. It is a cookbook with more than 140 vegan dishes, designed to be simple and therefore suitable even for those with little experience in the kitchen. The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller because of its accessible approach to plant-based cooking.
References
- Social profiles: @plantyou
- Website: https://plantyou.com/
- Books: https://www.amazon.it/stores/Carleigh-Bodrug/author/





