At only 14-years-old, Jose (known as naturally.jo on Instagram) decided to go all vegan. But that didn’t mean he was going to compromise on his taste. Full of determination, he taught himself how to cook, and soon became the unofficial master of vegan desserts. Now at 18, his Instagram page has amassed more than 1.6 million followers, and his YouTube channel has millions of views and counting.
Based in Lima, Peru, Jose’s all-vegan desserts include cakes, brownies, ice cream, smoothies, and toast, all beautifully styled and using only natural ingredients. These ingredients include mango, berries, beetroots, acai powder, pink pitaya, and spirulina, which add a colorful dimension to his creations.
“I ate animal products for 90 percent of my life, and meat was my favorite thing in the world,” Jose recalled in an interview with Daily Mail Online. “But I was struggling with eating disorders and an unhealthy low-weight.”
“I searched for lots of diets online and then the vegan diet popped up,” he added. “I saw how lots of vegans ate a lot and followed a high-carb diet but still had a perfect fit body, so I started eating less animal products and decided to inform myself about veganism. That is when everything changed and I learned that veganism is a lot more than a diet, it is a lifestyle. Soon after, I made the decision to become vegan. I was no longer looking to lose more weight, but to stop supporting all forms of animal cruelty.”
Each dessert he posts is accompanied by a list of ingredients, challenging his fans to recreate his recipes. His dishes are also very much Instagramable, using props like shells and animal shapes which are all edible. His creations also have a humoristic edge to them, with the occasional pop-culture reference.
Take a look at some of his mouthwatering creations.
