Plant Power Day
What is a plant-based diet and why should we change the way we think about food?
Plant-based diets
A plant-based diet is an eating pattern that is focused primarily on foods derived from plants. The list of foods is not exclusive to fruits & vegetables, it includes legumes, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds and oils. Additionally, plant-based doesn't mean vegetarian or vegan. It just means that the main proportion of foods you eat is from… you guessed it, plant sources! We like to think that going plant-based is not so much a diet, but rather an approach to eating and to be conscious of our responsibilities to our planet through our food consumption.
“Research shows that meat and dairy products are fuelling the climate crisis, while plant-based diets—focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans—help protect the planet.”
So why has plant-based diet become so topical and relevant in today's talks around climate change?
Reduce Meat Intake
It is not a total surprise by now that the production and consumption of the meat industry is bad for the environment. Here are a few of the reasons: livestock generates a significant amount of methane (a potent greenhouse gas that is 10x more polluting than CO2), and on top of that forests need to be cleared to make way for grazing. Forests act as massive carbon storages, so by clearing them not only reduces the amount of carbon that can be absorbed but it also means more CO2 is released when the trees are chopped down. This kind of intensive farming is a massive contributor to why the meat industry should be controlled better and hence, why plant-based foods are crucial to limit the emissions from the food we consume. A study concluded that 57% of the global GHG emissions from food production is tied to meat and dairy products. By shifting our diets away from animal products, we can all contribute massively to reducing our carbon footprints and mitigating climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on Climate Change and Land, they revealed that "our food choices could account for almost half of our emissions by 2050”.
Health Benefits
Not only will a plant-based lifestyle make you feel more participatory in terms of positive climate actions, but such dietary switch will also make you feel good in terms of your own health. We give you 5 health benefits (there are plenty more) to becoming a “flexitarian”:
1.. Lower your blood pressure
Multiple studies have shown that prioritising a plant-based lifestyle can reduce your blood pressure. Hence, minimise your risks of high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
2. Maintain your heart health
Plant-based foods are largely anti-inflammatory. This is a great benefit that will help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, meat contains saturated fat that are contributors to heart issues if eaten in excess. As such, by cutting meat down you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by 16%.
3. Improve your cholesterol
High cholesterol can restrict blood flows because of the fatty deposits in the blood. This means increasing the chances of a heart attack, stroke or heart diseases. Therefore, a plant-based focus can lower the “bad" cholesterol by up to 25% depending on how restrictive the plant-based is (i.e. vegetarian or vegan).
4. Contribute to weight loss
Focusing on plant-based foods tends to lead to weight loss even if that is not always the goal. Studies have shown that plant eaters usually weigh less and have a generally lower BMI than non vegetarians.
5. Help you live longer
Finally, all of the listed benefits funnel down to one major benefit: living longer. It has been proven that a plant-based lifestyle can lower the risk of all causes of mortality by 25%. We don’t know about you but what a win! Even if environmental motives are not priorities for you, major health benefits should at least tickle your fancy in living a longer and healthier life.
Alright, we’re done telling you to eat your greens. BUT just one more thing before we finish off the power of plant post. Here are 5 plant-based recipes that are simply to die for:
Watermelon & Cucumber Gazpacho (vegan)
Moroccan Lentil Soup (vegan)
Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)
