Eating plant-based meals has helped me feel better about my health and the health of the environment I live in. It reduces my carbon footprint and gives me a stronger foundation to pass on to my grandchildren by showing them I am doing my part to create a better world for them and the future.
For a good reason, plant-based eating habits are becoming more and more popular. A plant-based diet has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of osteoporosis, cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. They are also well known for being risk-free for a wide range of individuals at all phases of life, including young children, expectant and nursing mothers, and senior citizens.
Living a plant-based lifestyle offers many advantages for the environment in addition to being crucial for our health. Continue reading to find out what a plant-based lifestyle is, what it entails, and how switching to one can help the environment in modest ways.
A Plant-Based Lifestyle: What Is It?
A lifestyle that emphasizes plant foods while still consuming a small quantity of dairy, meat, fish, and eggs is known as a plant-based diet.
Eat mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds if you live a plant-based diet. In contrast to a vegan diet, which forbids the consumption of any food derived from animals, a plant-based lifestyle permits the consumption of animal-based items. A person who lives a plant-based lifestyle may also pay great attention to the quality of their food, making sure to buy as many locally and ethically sourced goods as they can.
It is well established that plant-based diets are good for human health and may help prevent chronic illnesses. Reduced levels of blood lipids, glucose, blood pressure, and inflammation are among the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are related to plant-based diets high in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
The benefits of plant-based diets are linked to significant reductions in cholesterol totals, as well as improvements in mental and physical health, quality of life, and depression when compared to the control diets.
Advantages of a Plant-Based Lifestyle for the Environment
Reduces Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
Thirty percent of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans worldwide are related to food production. The dietary source that generates the greatest greenhouse gases is found to be meat. Reduced meat intake may lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance general health, and lessen the occurrence of chronic diseases.
Research has also shown that environmental effects can be improved without giving up dairy and animal products. Meat and dairy can still be a part of plant-based diets while still helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Lowers Land Use
80% of deforestation is caused by food production, which is also the main cause of biodiversity loss. One of the main challenges to species biodiversity is the production of meat and dairy products, which uses the majority of agricultural areas for production. Our food systems’ resilience depends on biodiversity.
Changing to a more plant-based diet would result in less land being utilized for the production of meat and dairy products and more space being used for crop cultivation. According to studies, increasing the number of people who consume a plant-based diet can reduce land use related to diet by 76% while simultaneously improving health outcomes.
Lowers Pollution
35% of the contaminants that cause plant warming, according to scientists, are caused by food production. In addition, the production of meat contributes more than twice as much to pollution as that of grains, fruits, and vegetables. According to research, adopting a plant-based diet can cut pollution by 49%.
Extreme dietary changes are not necessary to have a positive environmental impact. Pollution can be reduced by eating a diet higher in plants while still consuming limited amounts of fish, meat, and dairy.
Water is Saved
Living a plant-based diet could contribute to water saving. It requires 23% less water to produce 1 kilogram of grain than it does to create 1 kg of beef, and 24% of the world’s freshwater is used for cattle. According to one study, cutting back on animal consumption may cut the world’s water use by 14%. Also, by lowering the eutrophication brought on by animal waste and feed runoff, plant-based diets may enhance water quality.
Prevents Cruelty to Animals
It is well known that animals used for food production suffer from poor treatment and have few legal safeguards.
Decreased consumption of animal foods and the purchase of fish, eggs, meat, and poultry from ethical sources can both reduce the demand for these cruelly treated animals.
In reality, there is more interest in and study into in-vitro meat due to growing concerns over animal welfare and the damaging effects that meat production has on the environment.
It is thought that producing meat in a lab setting is an ethical, efficient, and sustainable method. Furthermore, meat substitutes made from plants are gaining social acceptance.
The Benefits of a Plant-Based Living
Plant-based diets and lifestyles are not only beneficial to our health, but they can also have a big impact on the environment. All the elements required for health can be found in plant-based diets, which also use fewer natural resources to produce and reduce the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. As climate change worsens and people look for more sustainable food options, there is an increasing interest in plant-based diets for both physical and environmental health.
Global climate change poses a challenge to food security since it will affect both the production of food and the ability to distribute it fairly, as well as its quality and quantity. There are limitations on the amount of land, water, and fisheries that can be used to supply the rising demand for food.
Furthermore, as temperatures rise, animals experience heat stress, which lowers productivity, egg output and quality, and meat quality. Following a plant-based diet would help to reduce some of the stress that climate change is placing on our food systems. From the consumer’s point of view, this results in higher costs on grocery store shelves.
Suggestions for a Plant-Based Lifestyle
There are some easy ways to get started if you are currently considering changing to a more plant-based eating habit. Remember that a plant-based diet can still contain dairy, fish, meat, and eggs without being entirely vegetarian or vegan.
Change gradually by choosing one plant-based meal or day every week. Consider incorporating “Meatless Monday” into your weekly schedule. Consider serving animal cuisine as a side dish if eating a meal entirely free of animal products at first proves difficult. For instance, a spaghetti meal with grilled fish on the side, a vegetarian chili with a small bit of beef, or a stir-fry with chicken and tofu. For ideas, compile recipes or invest in a plant-based cookbook.
There are a few nutritional aspects to consider when following a plant-based diet. Vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids may be less abundant in plant-based diets. To ensure that you consume enough of these nutrients, think about including some animal foods in your diet. You could also require a supplement. To ensure enough nutrition, consult a trained dietitian for advice on a well-planned plant-based diet.
A Final Word by Doc T Elliott
We all need to be responsible for doing our part to help the environment. Plant a tree and eat more plant foods. Maybe start a garden and use a container to store used fruits and vegetables to place in your green garbage containers for weekly pick-up. Eating a plant-based diet of fruits and vegetables is better for your continued health, and it is good for your mental health, knowing that you are doing your part to make the world place for the future.