The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

What Are The Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

There’s no doubt about it – eating plant-based foods has many benefits. As our society evolves, we are constantly facing the need to change our behaviors and habits to increase our health and quality of life. We are now facing climate change, and food insecurity and over 40% of our population are suffering from chronic disease.

Eating plant-based foods refers to a diet that primarily consists of foods that come from plants, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. A plant-based diet can be vegan, which means it excludes all animal products, or it can include some animal products, such as eggs and dairy.

Eating a diet that is primarily plant-based has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Plant-based diets are also often high in fiber, which can help to promote bowel regularity and prevent constipation.

It's important to note that while a plant-based diet can be healthy, it's still possible to eat an unhealthy diet if you are not choosing a variety of nutrient-dense plant foods and getting enough nutrients. If you are considering a plant-based diet, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for guidance.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

The Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

One of the recent ideas put forward to improve our world and health is plant-based nutrition. Even though food regimens are not something our doctor prescribes (yet), research is showing that food has a lot to contribute to our health. It is also a less costly option for our society than prescribing medication.

Our understanding of plant-based eating may differ from one individual to another. In the world of nutrition, plant-based eating is having a large portion of one’s nutrition coming from vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, whole grains, and also include legumes or other plants.

A spectrum of plant-based nutrition options is available to you. Some are very strict (vegan diet), others are still adding animal products like dairy (vegetarian) and at the other end of the spectrum are those that still eat meat, poultry, and fish on an occasional basis.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

We once believed that early humans consumed a large proportion of animal protein in their diet. It is from that belief that, in the 2000s, the Paleo diet (mainly comprised of animal protein) became really popular in the world of nutrition and diet.

Eating Plant-Based Foods

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

Although, we now know that the nutrition of bipedal primates and Homo sapiens was primarily composed of nuts, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, and water. In that case, the “original” Paleo Diet was in fact plant-based eating.
It is also linked to the fact that some of the strongest animals on Earth are not carnivores. The strongest mammal is the gorilla (most are herbivores). It has the ability to lift around 4409 lbs, which is 10 times its body weight. It would be like a 200 lb individual lifting 2000 lb.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

If other mammals can live a healthy and strong life on plant-based nutrition, we probably can too.
Whether you want to save the animals, become healthier, or simply feel better, plant-based nutrition is a great option for those of us who want to be a better and healthier person.
Choosing plant-based nutrition doesn’t have to be a complex commitment. Not convinced yet? Here are the 5 reasons to start eating plant-based nutrition now:

Improve your health

In addition, increased consumption of vegetables, grains, and beans will bring more fiber into your nutrition. It is recommended to consume from 25 g (women) to 38 g (men) of fiber on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we consume an average of 15 g daily.
That is not enough for most of us and can have a negative impact on the bowels and cause constipation or hemorrhoids.

Fiber can be found in foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Eating a variety of these foods can provide the daily recommended intake of fiber. Additionally, it is important to stay hydrated as this helps the body absorb the fiber and aids digestion.

According to research, an increased intake of fiber can also help prevent and reduce heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer. Fiber is also known to reduce blood cholesterol levels. For most Americans, the average daily intake of protein is recommended at 46 g (women) and 56 g (men). One cup of shredded cheese is about 26 g of protein and 1 cup of diced chicken is 38 g of protein.

Exercise is also an important factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively and increases the body's ability to fight off illness. Taking the necessary steps to improve your health can lead to a better quality of life.

Improve your mental health

Eating a diet that is primarily plant-based can have a number of benefits for mental health. Some ways that plant-based foods can improve mental health include:

1. Reducing inflammation: Some plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, contain antioxidants and other compounds that can reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
2. Increasing intake of nutrients: Plant-based foods are often rich in nutrients that are important for mental health, such as B vitamins, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Getting enough of these nutrients can help to support brain function and improve mood.
3. Providing fiber: Plant-based diets are often high in fiber, which can help to improve bowel regularity and prevent constipation. This can help to reduce feelings of bloating and discomfort, which can have a negative impact on mental well-being.
4. Improving blood sugar control: Plant-based diets can help to improve blood sugar control, which can have a positive impact on mood and energy levels.
5. Reducing the risk of chronic diseases: Eating a plant-based diet has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. This can help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

It was once believed that you needed to add animal protein to your meals to increase muscle mass. Some
studies and athletes have demonstrated that it is possible to increase muscles and be fit with plant-based nutrition. For example, one of the best runners of all time and American ultramarathoner, Scott Jurek is known to be a plant-based eater!

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

While thousands of research demonstrate the health benefit of consuming vegetables as a way to prevent illness, many still refuse to change their nutrition to increase our quality of life.

Too many people believe that exercise, medication, and supplements are sufficient to maintain health. Meanwhile, experts in the field of health and wellness say that weight management is 75–80% nutrition and 20–25% exercise.
According to some research, plant-based eaters showed fewer signs of depression and mental illness than omnivores. There is much more research to be done and certainly some aspects to consider (like sugar intake) but these researches are very promising. The best way to know is to try it and see how you feel.

Weight loss and weight management

Plant-based eating means that you have a large proportion of your meal that comes from plant-based food. That said, fruits and vegetables are often the number one thing that comes to mind when we think of plant-based nutrition.
According to some studies, only 15% of our population is able to meet the minimum requirement of the daily recommendations for fruits and even less (10%) for vegetables.

Experts in nutrition all across the world agree that the insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to the obesity epidemic and chronic diseases related to poor nutrition, especially in our country. While exercising is important, nutrition is probably the number one reason why we have so much obesity in our nation.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

In general, individuals who are on plant-based nutrition tend to consume fewer calories than individuals who consume animal protein. Since most of their calories are coming from healthier options and fewer calories per weight. Plant-based eaters tend to eat less processed food and avoid meat-focused restaurants like fast-food chains that provide unhealthy meal options.

In addition, studies indicate that individuals who had plant-based nutrition with reduced sodium consumption (2300-1500 mg a day) showed a reduction in blood pressure and increased weight loss. That said, it is important to understand that plant-based food doesn’t always mean healthy food. Sugar is the other plant-based food to beware of.

Prevent or manage a chronic disease

As you will see in the next section, research demonstrates that individuals on plant-based nutrition can prevent chronic disease, reduce obesity, and mostly encourage a healthy quality of life.
A report published by the World Health Organization recommended that a daily intake of 400 g of fruits and vegetables would contribute to preventing chronic diseases which include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity. To put this in perspective, 1 tomato is approximately 75 g while a medium size potato is about 150 grams.

For fruits, a medium apple is about 150 g and a small kiwi is around 75 g.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, a plant-based diet should also include whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Whole grain products provide important dietary fiber and are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils, are a great source of plant-based proteins and fiber. Nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense and provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Eating a variety of plant-based foods is important to ensure that you get the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Lastly, avoiding processed and refined foods, as well as added sugar, is important for staying healthy and achieving your health goals.

Stop spending on supplements

Did you know that our nation’s population spends more than $30 billion a year on supplements? What if you didn’t need to waste that money? With plant-based nutrition, you are more likely to receive all the nutrients you need from natural sources like legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

Not only does this save you money, but it also saves you from trying to remember to purchase and consume supplements.
While thousands of research demonstrate the health benefit of consuming vegetables as a way to prevent illness, many still refuse to change their nutrition to increase our quality of life.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

Choose Vegetarian Diet

A vegetarian diet is one that does not include meat or poultry. It typically excludes all animal-based products, including eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Vegans also avoid products that are derived from animals, such as leather and wool.

A vegetarian diet is a type of eating plan that excludes meat, poultry, and fish. This means that vegetarians do not eat any form of animal flesh. Vegetarianism can be traced back to ancient times and has many benefits for both the body and the environment.

The main goals of a vegetarian diet are to maintain health and improve environmental sustainability. For the body, a vegetarian diet is high in fiber which helps regulate digestion and keep blood sugar levels stable.

Please watch the video: The Best Reasons For Eating Plant-Based Foods

Eating Plant-Based Foods

It also contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. In addition, plant-based proteins are more bioavailable than those found in animal sources, so they offer all essential amino acids at comparable levels to those consumed through protein supplements or animal products themselves.

A study examining global emissions revealed that cutting down on dairy consumption could have an even greater impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions than improving dietary definitions toward more sustainable foods like varieties of legumes or whole grains! Therefore, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle can play an important role in helping us achieve our climate change goals!

Save our planet

Agriculture uses approximately 70% of our freshwater (globally on average). That said, the production of meat requires around 1000% more water (1 kg requires from 5000 to 20,000 liters of water) than some grains like wheat (1 kg of wheat requires between 500 and 4000 liters of water).

In addition, a lot of the grain is cultivated to feed the animals we eat and if we started eating that grain and reducing our consumption of meat, less water and resources would be used to produce animal food.
In conclusion, Plant-based eating is for everyone, the main idea is not to “diet” or remove something from your nutrition but more about adding more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.

Eating Plant-Based Foods

Now it’s time to put your learning into action, pick a day when you will start your plant-based nutrition, select your meals (find recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes) and make a grocery list, go shopping (get your grocery items) and implement the change! Plant-based eating is not a diet but more a way of living. Make it simple and have fun with it!

If you have questions or want to comment, please leave them below and I will answer as soon as I can. Thank you!

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