As we move into 2020, there are increasingly easily accessible plant-based food alternatives to help us combat unhealthy eating habits, and live a cleaner lifestyle. What with new plant-based restaurants popping up daily, fast-food outlets adding plant-based options to their menu weekly, and a vegan-centered Netflix original recently released, people are starting to notice that vegans may be onto something.
For decades, reputable fitness professionals and health experts have praised the traditional diet consisting of lean meats like chicken and fish in order to lead a clean lifestyle, with vegetables playing more of a supporting role to white meats. People were expected to look for results in their overall well-being from such a diet, and then adding exercise. Although we were led to believe we were doing the right thing, our bodies weren’t necessarily getting much healthier. Our health, such as cholesterol levels, still wasn’t changing. People began looking for answers. And plant-based diets became more relevant.
Plant-based diets have been proven to benefit the body more than diets that include white meat. Studies have compared the cholesterol levels of those who eat white meat and those who eat plant-based protein. Results showed that participants on the vegan diet had better cholesterol levels than those eating white meat. Research has clearly illustrated that both white and red meat raise blood cholesterol and may contribute to heart disease. In fact, we are more aware than ever that increasing plant protein intake and decreasing meat intake, our chances of heart disease lowers and a longer life is more likely.
Most meat products on the market today now have a healthier alternative that tastes the same, looks the same and has the same texture. Alternative Kitchen products are just a few of many meat alternatives that people can try in order to live a cleaner, healthier life. With innovative plant-based products becoming more prevalent today there is no real need or benefit in consuming meat.
A big bonus in the plant-based diet is that it provides a solution to an ethical problem. The slaying of animals would decrease exponentially. With more media attention on the cruel treatment of animals for our consumption, people are looking to make a change starting with the things they eat. Organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are reaching out to younger generations on social media platforms and effectively spreading their message on the negative welfare of dairy cows, for example. Education and awareness is helping urge more people to switch to plant-based diets, not just for themselves, but for the other living creatures we share the Earth with.
The huge variety of milk substitutes now available has proven that cows don’t need to be the sole supplier for nutrients. Soy milk lowers bad cholesterol in the body and decreases the risk of heart disease. For sufficient calcium, poppy, sesame and chia seeds have proven to contain high amounts, along with other nutrients, proving them to be an excellent substitute for dairy products.
The plant-based wave we ride is introducing remarkably tasty meatless alternatives, and the number of plant-based recipe blogs is more than ever, making it easier than ever to reduce our meat intake. Now you really can enjoy a juicy burger without the bitter aftertaste of guilt, and see healthy results.
