You don’t have to only eat plants. A plant-based diet emphasizes the consumption of more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans while minimizing animal products and processed meats.
Plants are packed with nutrients. Their nutrient-based which makes them extra efficient providing you with Vitamins A, C, sulfur, calcium and ALA.
It can reduce/reverse chronic degenerative conditions and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
You’ll get your protein. Beans, broccoli, peas and pumpkin seeds are high in protein giving you nutrients without meat.
Glowing skin. Less inflammation in the body means less acne.
It doesn’t mean anemia. A common misconception is that not eating meat can cause you to become anemic. Iron can be found in leafy greens, potatoes, mushrooms, squash, beans and many more.
Aids in digestion. Cutting down on dairy while simultaneously upping your fiber intake can improve your digestion.
Enjoy your meals while dinning out. More restaurants are starting to offer vegetarian and vegan options making it easier to maintain your plant based diet.
It’ll protect your vision. Diets rich in antioxidants can prevent cataracts.
It isn’t costly. Whole grains & legumes cost for less than meats, dairy and fish and expire quicker also causing wasted food.
It can boost your mood. A plant-based diet can improve symptoms of depression. Fruits and veggies naturally lower inflammation in the body, which is a contributing factor to depression.
It makes losing weight easy. On a plant-based diet you can eat your way to weight loss. Many plant foods only have 10 to 50 calories per cup, so if you eat these foods (as opposed to processed foods), you can eat more and consume less calories.
Helps conserve water. More than half of all water consumed in the U.S. is used for animal agriculture. Further, the meat and dairy industry uses a third of the entire planet’s fresh water.
You’ll eat your water, not just drink it. By eating water-dense fruits and vegetables (like cucumber or watermelon), you will hydrate your body at a cellular level.
All the fiber. Fiber isn’t found in meat or dairy; instead, it resides in plants. By switching to a plant-based diet, you’ll naturally up your fiber intake, reaping some powerful health benefits along the way.
More energy. Going plant-based can keep you awake and alert! The typical American diet is filled with processed foods and sugar, which cause spikes in sugar levels. The spikes inevitably decline, leading to that all-too-familiar crash in the afternoon. High-fiber diets, on the other hand, help your body to regulate sugar levels, allowing you to avoid the afternoon slump.
You’ll feel fuller longer. High fiber diets help to keep you satisfied longer and curb cravings. Meanwhile, processed foods and sugars do the opposite - their low nutrient count causes hunger and snacking in between meals.
Limit climate change. The dark impact that processed foods have on our environment can be lessened as more people adopt plant-based diets.
Keeps your cholesterol in check. Meats and dairy are extremely high in cholesterol, while plants are low in cholesterol and high in fiber. Fiber regulates the absorption and production of cholesterol in the body, which prevents heightened cholesterol levels.
Improves your focus. Plant foods improve blood flow to the brain, resulting in heightened focus. Some studies show that they may event help you to maintain mental acuity as you age.
Improves your sleep. Eating meat before bedtime can interfere with sleep, as it takes longer to digest than other foods. Conversely, some fruits, such as cherries, bananas and oranges, contain melatonin, which can help you to get a better night’s sleep.
It’s never too late. Regardless of age, switching to a plant-based diet allows you to reap countless health benefits. Benefits accrue overtime, improvements can be seen almost immediately.