You don't have to go full vegan to eat more plants. While the benefits of a vegan or plant-based diet are well proven, not only for our immediate physical health, but for our long-term health and in the fight against chronic diseases, it's also been discovered that eating this way goes beyond our physical health: eating a plant-based or vegan diet is beneficial for our mental health, our finances, the environment, for animal welfare, world hunger, water scarcity and more! Making even small changes to incorporate more plants into your diet can add up to big benefits. So here are some of Made with Love and Plants’ top reasons to eat more plants:
1. Plants are super high in vitamins and minerals which are amazing for energy! They're rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and often healthy fats and protein as well, all of which are beneficial for your brain and mood. Not only that, but plants are also easier to digest, which gives our body extra energy to spend. Plants are naturally full of fibre and fibre is the key to good digestion.
2. Plant-based foods are also beneficial for performance. That's why you're seeing more and more professional athletes talking about being plant-based!
3. Because plants are so full of vitamins and minerals, they're particularly nourishing for your skin.
4. People who eat more plants have reportedly lower cases of many common chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer, Alzheimer's, and others. If you're concerned about chronic disease or they run in your family, eating more plants is definitely a good idea!
5. A plant-based diet is more economical, especially if you eat in-season and eat local produce. This is one of the most nurturing ways to eat, by nourishing our bodies with seasonal, local produce, we can care for both our mental and physical wellbeing, reduce our carbon footprint, and support local businesses.
6. Eating a plant-based diet is probably one of the single best things you can do for the planet. Animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector. It's also responsible for nearly 90% of the deforestation in the Amazon, and is a huge drain on our water supplies. If you eat a plant-based diet, every single day you'd be saving 1,100 gallons of water per day, 30 square feet of forest, 10 pounds of CO2 emissions and one animal. Yes, every single day!!
Whilst adopting a plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, we can all take small steps to fill our plates and our bodies with more plant-based foods. Even small changes can make a big difference!