Eight Health Benefits of Plant-Based Eating

A few years ago decided to start incorporating more plant-based eating into my diet. The research is undeniable on the health benefits. I tried going vegan, which lasted about 2 weeks (sorry but I still love my cheese!) Then I switched to full vegetarian for about a year before adding back in fish which has been 90% of my diet. Lately, I find myself craving some animal protein and so I listen to my body and make a turkey burger once in a while or indulge in some juicy meatballs. 

One thing I have learned is that your body is really smart and your cravings are your body signaling to you what it needs. Now, sometimes that can be ice cream or sugary treats which is ok too, but in moderation and that is something I work on with my clients in my 1:1 Health Coaching.

Now, let’s talk about the benefits of plant-based eating. Not saying that you need to go vegan overnight, but the more plants you consume the more benefits you and the plant reap! Plus I have a whole plant-friendly recipe section right here on my website!

A little plant education; the earth is covered in plants that provide living creatures with food to keep
us healthy and medicine for when we are sick. It makes sense that plants are
an essential part of any healthy way of eating. Even in the harshest conditions,
plant life, in some form, has been a part of traditional diets.

By shifting plant foods to the core of your diet, you are making great strides for
your health whether or not you choose to go entirely plant-based. Instead of
getting caught up in labels, focus on including more plant-based foods in your diet.

Now lets dive into these benefits:

1| Body Mass Index (BMI): Individuals following a plant-based diet that
includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are
more likely to have a healthy BMI and less likely to be overweight.

2| Risk of Chronic Disease: Plant-based diets reduce the risk for many chronic
diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. In fact, those who
follow plant-based diets are more likely to have improved insulin sensitivity
and lower cholesterol levels.

3| Toxic Load: Meat, dairy, and farm-raised fish may contain hormones, steroids,
and other toxic residues from their feed and processing. Although a better
choice, wild fish can still be contaminated with heavy metals, like mercury,
and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which may disrupt our hormones.
Consuming organic produce and reducing consumption of animal foods can
help limit exposure to these toxins.

4| Money: Individuals who follow a plant-based diet may save about $750
per year on grocery costs. Whole grains, beans, and in-season produce are
economical and incredibly nourishing.

5| Animal Welfare: To meet the demand for animal foods, animals are often
raised under poor conditions and crowded together in confined animal
feeding operations (CAFOs). Supporting humane farms – or not purchasing
meat at all – is a way to place your vote against animal cruelty.

6| The Planet: The demand for animal products is a major cause of deforestation
as land is cleared to make room for animals. In fact, nearly 30% of the earth’s
land area is used to raise livestock.5 Farm animals are also a major contributor
to greenhouse gases, which are linked to global warming.

7| Resources: Plant-based foods require less energy, space, and water than
animal foods and are less taxing on our resources. Producing one kilogram of
animal protein uses 100 times more water than the same amount of protein
from grains.

8| Longevity: Plant foods are high in antioxidant compounds like vitamin C,
selenium, and vitamin E. These compounds assist in reducing oxidative stress
in the body, which decreases disease risk and supports healthful aging.7 Some
of the world’s longest-living people live in the Mediterranean and Asia. Both
areas have traditional diets focused on plant-based diets.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and how you might start to incorporate more plant-based eating into your diet?

**info was shared from IIN**

Did you know that I have kicked off my 1:1 Health Coaching Biz?! I am a recent graduate of The Institute of Integrative Nutrition and can’t wait to start coaching you towards your health & wellness goals! Check out all the info on my Coaching Page and Book a FREE Discovery Call with me today! 

Meet Cherise

Hi, I'm Cherise and My Fit Life page is here to share my love for health & wellness, healthy recipes, fitness & fun. Let's create healthier habits together! 

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1 Comment

  1. Reese Evans

    Wow, Cherise. You have written so well and elaborated on plant-based eating. This is like a diet chart prescribed by the nutritionist. Thank you so much for sharing this. Well done.