Why choose a plant-based lifestyle

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

―  Albert Einstein

Why Choose a Plant-based Lifestyle?

Unless you live under a large rock, you will know that plant-based anything is BIG business right now. Think Beyond® Burger or Daiya® vegan cheese. Companies are cashing in on the public's desire towards a plant-based lifestyle. Buy why? Because people are aware of the environmental impact that farming livestock has on the planet. People don't want to feel responsible for widespread animal cruelty and global warming.

But what about the health benefits? 🌱

1. Cholesterol-free

Contrary to animal products, plant foods contain no cholesterol and most don’t contain saturated fat.  Although the body makes its own cholesterol, too much dietary cholesterol and saturated fat from animal sources can lead to fatty deposits in blood vessels.  Over an extended period, these fatty deposits can block the blood vessels, leading to a worst-case scenario of heart attack, stroke, or death.

2. Anti-inflammatory

Plant foods are chock-full of plant nutrients, including polyphenols and antioxidants that act as powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. Lowering inflammation can lower your risk of many metabolic diseases, including dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

3. High Protein

It's true. All plants have protein. Not only that, but all plants contain the 20 amino acids needed to build all the proteins in the human body. Yes - even those 'essential' amino acids, the ones we can't make ourselves, that we need to get from our food. High protein plant foods include beans and legumes, whole grains, tofu, tempeh, and edamame. The highest protein food is pumpkin seeds. Even broccoli has as much protein per calorie as beef! Despite the advice from 20 years ago that is still being touted today, no, you do not need to combine plants to make 'complete proteins'. Believe it or not, the human body is a highly complex machine and knows how to extract amino acids from food to create its own proteins.

4. Low Fat, High Nutrient

Whole plant foods are generally lower in fat and higher in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber than animal-based foods. Of course, the exception is highly processed foods, which you want to avoid, whether they are plant-based or animal-based.

5. A plant-based diet can reduce the risk of disease

Many of the diseases affecting people today are categorized as non-communicable or lifestyle-based diseases. These include obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, heart disease, and cancer. Whew! That was a lot! These are diseases that can be caused by an unhealthy animal-based diet or made worse by it. Conversely, the simple action of removing animal products and replacing them with plant foods can have a remarkable effect on your health. These diseases can be prevented or even reversed by switching to a plant-based diet under the care of your primary physician.

6. It's easy to learn

You don't need to be a MasterChef or a nutritionist to eat a healthy plant-based diet. Just remember to include something from the main food groups in your meals. Whole grains (farro, brown rice, quinoa), legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas), fruit, vegetables, herbs/spices, and nuts/seeds. You can look up simple recipes online or just throw some food into a bowl and try it out.

7. It tastes great

Even if eating plants could cure cancer, no one is going to change their diet if it tastes terrible. The fantastic thing about switching to a whole plant foods diet is that your taste buds quickly adapt and you begin to be able to taste the vast array of delicious flavors that you have probably never experienced before. Plant-based eating is different from eating animal products, but it is definitely delicious. Be open-minded about new flavors, and you will reap the benefits.

Watch this episode of The Fabulous Health Show.

Your plant-based health checklist:

Here is a quick checklist to get you started with your plant-based journey.

Remember, imperfect action beats inaction; get started and keep trying.

• Write a list of plant-based foods you already like. (Check out my free list HERE).

• Look up your favorite recipes and work out ways to swap animal products for plant-based ingredients.

• Be open to new flavors and try new things.

• When at restaurants, order the plant-based option.

• Instead of dairy milk, use plant-based milk in your coffee and cereal. If you don't like the taste, try another brand.

• Unless you want to, there's no need to swap out everything all at once. One step at a time is fine. Eventually, you will crowd out all the unhealthy animal products with healthy plant-based foods.

• Find a proven plan to get well and stay well with my book, Fabulous Health.