Reasons to Eat More Plant Based Foods

When it comes to following a diet, people sometimes believe that it has to be an all-or-nothing approach. Your either a vegan or eating meat and dairy at every meal. This doesn’t have to be the case. Unless you’re removing animal-based foods from your diet for moral reasons, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. As the name suggests, a plant-based diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, pulses, and nuts. It’s also low in processed food and doesn’t contain any animal products. There are also more ranges of plant-based alternatives beginning to hit the shelves such as No Evil Foods and dairy alternatives.

If you’re wondering what plant-based is all about and why you might benefit from it, then read on. 

It’s Good For Your Health

A poor diet, full of red meat, processed foods, and high fats can be devastating for your health. Not only can it cause obesity, but can put you at risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. A low-fat, plant-rich diet can greatly reduce these risks. 

It’s Good For The Environment

The process of raising and transporting meat products has a huge impact on the environment. Each pound of beef takes approximately 15 pounds of grain to feed. Add to this the water, carbon emissions from transporting the animals, then that’s a pretty big impact on the world. 

It’s Kinder To Animals

Obviously, not eating animals is going to be better for animal welfare. Even by cutting down on the amount of meat you consume, you’ll be reducing the demand. The lower the demand, the fewer animals that need to be slaughtered in order to meet that demand. For some people, this is the main reason to switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

It’s Cheaper

Plant-based foods can be much cheaper for your budget. After all, meat, fish, and cheese can be very expensive, especially if you’re eating them every day. It’s all about knowing how to shop smart so that you can save money where it matters, without sacrificing taste. Supermarkets are now making fruits and vegetables even more affordable by running weekly specials on a range of foods.

It Can Help You Lose Weight

Veganism is no guarantee of health. As with any diet, you have to eat the right things, and in moderation. If you’re sticking to a strictly plant-based diet, it’s really difficult to eat the sheer amount of food that you would have to consume to be in a calorie surplus every day. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and being.

Conclusion

Vegetarian, vegan, and plant-rich diets are becoming popular choices for more and more people. There are many reasons that you might choose to incorporate elements of that diet into yours in order to improve your health and decrease your risks. Whatever the reason, you’ll certainly be reducing your impact on the environment and your overall carbon footprint.

Photo Credit: Anna Pelzer on Unsplash