Veggie Fiesta underway in Sudbury

Poutine without beef gravy. Pizza without cow's milk mozzarella. Souvlaki without chicken. What do all of these things have in common? They are part of a plant-based diet. And that diet is currently being celebrated in Sudbury during Veggie Fiesta 2018.

Sudbury foodies are in for a treat as they can now take part in a first-ever food celebration that focuses on plant based dishes.

Elias Eleftheriadis is the part owner of Gloria's Restaurant and organizer of the event. He says after switching to a plant based diet, he noticed many changes.

"I lost 75 pounds. I'm full of energy," he said.

"I can run 8 km in onehour and two years ago, I couldn't walk half an hour before getting tired."

Eleftheriadis, who is originally from Greece, says a Mediterraneandiet is considered a healthy one because it focuses a lot on plants.

"Meat was always something that you consume on special occasions," he said.

He says he hasn't consumed meat or dairy in a year and a half and adds he doesn't miss it.

Now, he's working to get a bit of his diet into his restaurant and others across Sudbury.From now until May 21, some restaurants in the city are offering vegan or vegetarian meals at a reduced price.

"The products that we're getting now are getting tastier and tastier, the vegan products" he said.

"This is guilt-free food. This is compassionate food."

During Veggie Fiesta, Eleftheriadissays there will be an Instagram contest with food selfies and the most popular plate pictures will win gift cards from the participating restaurants.

To find out what Sudbury restaurants are participating in Veggie Fiesta 2018, go to veggiefiesta.com.