Concerned that a plant-based diet may be too restrictive? Here’s what plant based means and why you should consider it.
It’s no secret that the effects of the meat and dairy industry have a harmful impact on our environment. It’s also no surprise how prevalent meat and dairy products are in many common meals. For many people, they grew up consuming plenty of meat and dairy, making it harder to stray from it as they grow older. Those that are used to this lifestyle have learned family recipes, have favorite meals, and have cravings for foods that mean something to them.
For people who grew up eating meat and dairy daily, the benefits that a plant-based diet could give are unknown to them because meat and dairy were just a part of everyday life.
A plant-based diet, whether it be a vegan diet or a vegetarian diet, has many benefits, so read on to learn four of our top reasons to consider switching over!
1. Plant-based diets are nutrient-dense and nourishing.
It’s obvious that fruits and vegetables are good for you and considered to be healthier than any junk food you’ll pull out of the pantry. When you become plant-based, you end up cutting out a lot of processed food, unhealthy fats, and sugars. Going plant-based improves your overall health because your body is consuming the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect immune health and support many bodily functions.
Plant-based diets are delicious and packed with sustenance, and anyone who has ever told you differently just probably hasn’t had a taste of the good stuff!
Research has shown that you are not at risk of protein deficiency or other health-related issues when you go plant-based as long as you are getting proper nutrients throughout your day. Plenty of plant-based foods are high in protein, like quinoa, pea protein, and beans, which can be used in an almost endless number of dishes.
Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts are all packed with nutrients and minerals and antioxidants that are needed for your body to function properly. There are tons of different plant-based foods you can enjoy that will also satisfy your appetite and nourish your body, whether that be with peanut butter and celery sticks, a black bean burrito, or a bright strawberry, spinach, and vegan feta cheese salad.
When you go plant-based, you may feel that your energy levels are up and you feel less foggy. These foods promote a healthier lifestyle and can help you meet your basic nutritional needs without doing much work!
2. Plant-based diets can support immune function and reduce the risk of disease
When you cut out animal products from your diet, you are doing your body a favor! Chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer have been linked to diets that are saturated with fats, so if you are someone who has a family history of chronic diseases, going plant-based could be extremely beneficial for your health.
The following are a few chronic diseases that you have a lower risk of developing when on a plant-based diet.
Type 2 Diabetes
Research has been done to look into how plant-based diets impact type 2 diabetes, both in the treatment and prevention of it. The types of carbohydrates, protein, and sugar that you get from eating plant-based foods are going to be better for your body than in animal-inclusive diets. These carbs, proteins, and sugars, have an impact on the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes because of the effect they have on protection from insulin resistance.
Heart Disease
In most studies overall, it’s been found that those who are on a plant-based diet have a better chance of avoiding cardiovascular diseases and issues. Those on plant-based diets consume less saturated fats and sugar, and overall have lower cholesterol than those who consume animal products. Cholesterol heavily impacts your risk of heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in your arteries and causes complications to your heart. Introducing a plant-based diet lowers this build up and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Obesity
It’s been proven that eating a plant-based diet is extremely helpful when it comes to weight loss. If you or a loved one are struggling with weight and want to reach a healthier state, switching over to a plant-based diet helps to cut out unhealthy fats that come from animal products and byproducts.
Most food from animal-diets stay in the body as they are stored as fats, but this doesn’t happen in plant-based diets. People that are on plant-based diets burn calories quicker at the same time that they intake more nutrients that support bodily health.
Supporting overall health
By increasing our intake of natural products like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, we are promoting a healthier lifestyle and naturally preparing our bodies to fight off infections or diseases. Yes, meat and dairy can be enticing, especially in the right circumstance, but simply by opting for a dairy-free alternative or tofu and tempeh, you are looking out for your future self!
3. Plant-based diets are ample in fiber and can support digestive health
The boost in nutrients like Vitamin C and fiber to protect your immune system and digestive health come directly from the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes that you are eating. The fiber in plant foods is what gives your good gut bacteria fuel to function properly and maintain the gut’s capabilities. Consuming a plant-based diet is effective in creating a diverse ecosystem of microbes that can benefit your health.
The fiber that you consume from many plant-based foods feeds your intestinal cells and helps to push things along. The high water content that some fruits and vegetables also aid in this process and help to move things along in your digestive system.
Overall, including plant fiber in your diet is going to help your stomach function properly underneath and can result in less bloating and cramping. Plant-based foods give you a natural energy boost and help with preventing getting sick down the line.
4. Plant-based diets are better for the environment by producing less waste
So much of processed foods and animal products come in wasteful containers. There is a higher demand for animal products, and most of these need to be sealed and packaged very specifically to preserve freshness. Due to this, there is often more waste that comes from unused animal products.
Plant-based foods use less resources to make, and they can be composted after they are used up. With most plant-based foods, tossing them into the compost bin, rather than into the trash, can help to lower the production of carbon emissions. The food that goes into a compost bin can be broken down and used in gardens to grow more plants to eat!
It’s not news that the amount of carbon emissions let off into the atmosphere due to livestock farming and overfishing has had detrimental effects on the environment. Research has shown that a shift to a more plant-based diet would greatly reduce the carbon emissions expelled, promoting healthier humans and combating climate change.
Some folks have already tried to do their part by reducing their intake of animal products or substituting some products out for a plant alternative, which is extremely helpful in the fight against climate change.
If you have been trying to find more ways that you can help save our planet, consider diving into a partial or even fully plant-based diet!
Where To Start
There are many outlets that want to help you start eating better for your health, whether that’s your vegan friend offering to share her recipe book, or your local grocery store finally sectioning off a few shelves for plant-based foods.
If you’re a little overwhelmed with all the options, or if you’re just looking for the easiest way to get the most delicious plant-based recipes around, consider signing up for an at-home delivery service like Thistle.
Thistle is a gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based delivery service that provides healthy, nutritional meals to those close to the West Coast. Thistle wants to help by starting you on the right foot. For example, you might find inspiration from our meals and snacks and let it carry over into your shopping routines. Starting off on a plant-based diet can be intimidating, but you have tons of resources to help you get started at your own pace!
Sources:
Nutritional Update For Physicians: Plant-based Diets | NCBI
A Plant-Based Diet For The Prevention And Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes | NCBI
A Vegan Diet: Eating For The Environment | Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Saturated Fat | American Heart Association
The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets on Gut Microbiota | NCBI
The power of a plant-based diet for heart health | Mayo Clinic
Concerned that a plant-based diet may be too restrictive? Here’s what plant based means and why you should consider it.
It’s no secret that the effects of the meat and dairy industry have a harmful impact on our environment. It’s also no surprise how prevalent meat and dairy products are in many common meals. For many people, they grew up consuming plenty of meat and dairy, making it harder to stray from it as they grow older. Those that are used to this lifestyle have learned family recipes, have favorite meals, and have cravings for foods that mean something to them.
For people who grew up eating meat and dairy daily, the benefits that a plant-based diet could give are unknown to them because meat and dairy were just a part of everyday life.
A plant-based diet, whether it be a vegan diet or a vegetarian diet, has many benefits, so read on to learn four of our top reasons to consider switching over!
1. Plant-based diets are nutrient-dense and nourishing.
It’s obvious that fruits and vegetables are good for you and considered to be healthier than any junk food you’ll pull out of the pantry. When you become plant-based, you end up cutting out a lot of processed food, unhealthy fats, and sugars. Going plant-based improves your overall health because your body is consuming the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect immune health and support many bodily functions.
Plant-based diets are delicious and packed with sustenance, and anyone who has ever told you differently just probably hasn’t had a taste of the good stuff!
Research has shown that you are not at risk of protein deficiency or other health-related issues when you go plant-based as long as you are getting proper nutrients throughout your day. Plenty of plant-based foods are high in protein, like quinoa, pea protein, and beans, which can be used in an almost endless number of dishes.
Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts are all packed with nutrients and minerals and antioxidants that are needed for your body to function properly. There are tons of different plant-based foods you can enjoy that will also satisfy your appetite and nourish your body, whether that be with peanut butter and celery sticks, a black bean burrito, or a bright strawberry, spinach, and vegan feta cheese salad.
When you go plant-based, you may feel that your energy levels are up and you feel less foggy. These foods promote a healthier lifestyle and can help you meet your basic nutritional needs without doing much work!
2. Plant-based diets can support immune function and reduce the risk of disease
When you cut out animal products from your diet, you are doing your body a favor! Chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer have been linked to diets that are saturated with fats, so if you are someone who has a family history of chronic diseases, going plant-based could be extremely beneficial for your health.
The following are a few chronic diseases that you have a lower risk of developing when on a plant-based diet.
Type 2 Diabetes
Research has been done to look into how plant-based diets impact type 2 diabetes, both in the treatment and prevention of it. The types of carbohydrates, protein, and sugar that you get from eating plant-based foods are going to be better for your body than in animal-inclusive diets. These carbs, proteins, and sugars, have an impact on the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes because of the effect they have on protection from insulin resistance.
Heart Disease
In most studies overall, it’s been found that those who are on a plant-based diet have a better chance of avoiding cardiovascular diseases and issues. Those on plant-based diets consume less saturated fats and sugar, and overall have lower cholesterol than those who consume animal products. Cholesterol heavily impacts your risk of heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in your arteries and causes complications to your heart. Introducing a plant-based diet lowers this build up and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Obesity
It’s been proven that eating a plant-based diet is extremely helpful when it comes to weight loss. If you or a loved one are struggling with weight and want to reach a healthier state, switching over to a plant-based diet helps to cut out unhealthy fats that come from animal products and byproducts.
Most food from animal-diets stay in the body as they are stored as fats, but this doesn’t happen in plant-based diets. People that are on plant-based diets burn calories quicker at the same time that they intake more nutrients that support bodily health.
Supporting overall health
By increasing our intake of natural products like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, we are promoting a healthier lifestyle and naturally preparing our bodies to fight off infections or diseases. Yes, meat and dairy can be enticing, especially in the right circumstance, but simply by opting for a dairy-free alternative or tofu and tempeh, you are looking out for your future self!
3. Plant-based diets are ample in fiber and can support digestive health
The boost in nutrients like Vitamin C and fiber to protect your immune system and digestive health come directly from the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes that you are eating. The fiber in plant foods is what gives your good gut bacteria fuel to function properly and maintain the gut’s capabilities. Consuming a plant-based diet is effective in creating a diverse ecosystem of microbes that can benefit your health.
The fiber that you consume from many plant-based foods feeds your intestinal cells and helps to push things along. The high water content that some fruits and vegetables also aid in this process and help to move things along in your digestive system.
Overall, including plant fiber in your diet is going to help your stomach function properly underneath and can result in less bloating and cramping. Plant-based foods give you a natural energy boost and help with preventing getting sick down the line.
4. Plant-based diets are better for the environment by producing less waste
So much of processed foods and animal products come in wasteful containers. There is a higher demand for animal products, and most of these need to be sealed and packaged very specifically to preserve freshness. Due to this, there is often more waste that comes from unused animal products.
Plant-based foods use less resources to make, and they can be composted after they are used up. With most plant-based foods, tossing them into the compost bin, rather than into the trash, can help to lower the production of carbon emissions. The food that goes into a compost bin can be broken down and used in gardens to grow more plants to eat!
It’s not news that the amount of carbon emissions let off into the atmosphere due to livestock farming and overfishing has had detrimental effects on the environment. Research has shown that a shift to a more plant-based diet would greatly reduce the carbon emissions expelled, promoting healthier humans and combating climate change.
Some folks have already tried to do their part by reducing their intake of animal products or substituting some products out for a plant alternative, which is extremely helpful in the fight against climate change.
If you have been trying to find more ways that you can help save our planet, consider diving into a partial or even fully plant-based diet!
Where To Start
There are many outlets that want to help you start eating better for your health, whether that’s your vegan friend offering to share her recipe book, or your local grocery store finally sectioning off a few shelves for plant-based foods.
If you’re a little overwhelmed with all the options, or if you’re just looking for the easiest way to get the most delicious plant-based recipes around, consider signing up for an at-home delivery service like Thistle.
Thistle is a gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based delivery service that provides healthy, nutritional meals to those close to the West Coast. Thistle wants to help by starting you on the right foot. For example, you might find inspiration from our meals and snacks and let it carry over into your shopping routines. Starting off on a plant-based diet can be intimidating, but you have tons of resources to help you get started at your own pace!
Sources:
Nutritional Update For Physicians: Plant-based Diets | NCBI
A Plant-Based Diet For The Prevention And Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes | NCBI
A Vegan Diet: Eating For The Environment | Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Saturated Fat | American Heart Association
The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets on Gut Microbiota | NCBI
The power of a plant-based diet for heart health | Mayo Clinic
