grazing greens
Plant-based nutrition by Karin Gibson
WHY EATING PLANT-BASED?
In one way, it’s very simple. The same foods that are proven to be the best for our hearts and our health, are the same foods that are proven to be the best for our entire planet! Namely, plant-based foods.
I think most of us want to live long and healthy lives, as well as have access to fresh air, clean water and lush forests. By making conscious decisions about what we put on our plates, we really can make a significant difference to our own health and the climate (and of course the animals!).
It is not rocket science. Large population studies have consistently shown that in places where people predominately live on plants, people tend to live longer, have less diseases, and stay healthier even in old age.
By eating a whole food plant-based diet we can prevent most of today’s common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes type 2, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and even many types of cancer. These conditions often have the same root cause – our lifestyle. Most of us eat too much food, the wrong food, and are too sedentary.
Science has also taught us that plant-foods have significantly less impact on the environment than animal products, meaning plant foods are less resource intensive; e.g. contribute to less carbon emissions, less water consumption and less deforestation.
The more I have studied dietetics and nutrition, learnt about the environment, and seen how today's farming works, the more convinced I have been that basing our diet on plants is not only the healthiest way of eating, it is the future way of eating! A whole food, plant-based diet is the only diet that is both health promoting, environmentally friendly and animal friendly.
It may sound like a cliché but it feels very empowering to eat this way, at least it is for me, and I hope it can be for you too. If you would like some tips on how to get started, check out my post on how to easily transfer to a plant-based diet.
Eat Food.
Not too much.
Mainly plants.
Love Michael Pollan's advice for better health. Simple but so true!
My top 10 reasons to eat a
whole food, plant-based diet!
1. It is packed with nutrients that will promote health and longevity
2. It will significantly decrease your risk for many preventable and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and even many types of cancer
3. It will boost your gut flora and strengthen your immune system
4. It will help you keep a healthy weight throughout life
5. It is the most climate friendly diet
6. It is the most animal friendly diet
7. It will give you heaps of energy to be physically active, and when you eat well you want to live well, it's a positive spiral
8. It is easy and can be done even on a low budget, no"superfoods" or juice detoxes are needed, just go back to basics and eat foods-as-grown
9. It will make you feel amazing, empowered and good about yourself
10. Last but not least - it is absolutely delicious!!!
