CONSIDER A PLANT-BASED DIET — FOR YOURSELF AND FOR THE PLANET
I have been eating a mostly plant based diet for over 25 years…long before plant-based diet was a “thing”. Most people would consider plant-based eating to be the same as being a vegan. I do not consider myself vegan but I will say that I am a plant-based food activist. I guess if you were to put me into a category, I would probably be called a pescatarian…no, not Presbyterian. A pescatarian avoids all other animal proteins except for fish. Although I will eat fish on occasion, it is still quite rare.
Eating a more plant based diet does not necessarily mean becoming a vegan. There are many food products on the market that are considered vegan and yet have very little nutritional value (Oreo cookies, french fries etc.). For me, eating a more plant based diet means eating less processed foods and including lots of vegetables into the diet along with whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and legumes.
Looking for some reasons to switch over to a more plant based diet?
- Reduces inflammation – Studies show adopting a whole food plant-based diet has been proven to reduce inflammation and reduces mortality from coronary heart disease. Inflammation is a big problem in the health of many people these days. Many don’t even know they are suffering from inflammation yet they walk around with arthritis, joint pains, edema, inability to lose weight, lowered immune system etc.
- Reduces Cholesterol – St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto has confirmed what many of us already knew—that a vegan diet can dramatically lower LDL, or the “bad” type of cholesterol. Cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Most people will have elevated cholesterol levels because of stress and inflammation. Food plays a small part in contributing to the elevated cholesterol levels. By reducing animal proteins you will be reducing inflammation which inturn reduces LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
- It conserves water – On average, a person who doesn’t eat meat or dairy, indirectly consumes nearly 600 gallons of water per day less than a person who eats the average American diet!
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions -An Oxford University study, published in the journal Climatic Change, shows that meat-eaters are responsible for almost twice as many dietary greenhouse-gas emissions per day as vegetarians and about two and a half times as many as vegans.
- Conserves land for more “people” food – One and a half acres of land can produce 375 pounds of meat, or 37,000 pounds of plant food. If we want to feed the world we need more plant based foods not animal foods.
- And or course, by eating a more plant based diet you are showing kindness to our fellow animals.
Challenge yourself to a plant based diet! Try it for 7 days by using my shopping list and 7 Day Meal Plan.
sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25532675
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/proper-diet-best-defence-against-bad-cholesterol-study/article626882/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27929093
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-conservation-tips/
https://www.amazon.com/Food-Choice-Sustainability-Buying-Eating/dp/1626524351/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?tag=mind0a3-20