The times are changing; people are returning to their roots and going to the country to reconnect with what they have left behind and learn more about their culture, people, and more. Another remarkable rise in recent years is the popularity of a plant-based diet. Now more and more people are choosing to go vegan, indicating it’s not merely a passing trend but a movement that reflects evolving attitudes towards health, the environment, and animal welfare.
So, let’s together more deeply understand the reasons behind the rise of plant-based diets and why more people are embracing veganism. Before jumping to any conclusions, boost your confidence by learning about different plant-based diets.
What are the various plant-based diets?
There are various types of plant-based diets, each with different levels of restriction and varying inclusion of animal products. Here we have curated the list for the most common types:
Vegetarian Diet: Although a vegetarian diet forgoes meat, it may still have dairy, eggs, and other animal products.
Vegan diet: All animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey, are prohibited in a vegan diet. It only consists of plant-based foods. for example-
Lacto-vegetarian diet: A Lacto-vegetarian diet contains dairy products but does not include meat or eggs.
Ovo-vegetarian diet: An ovo-vegetarian diet contains eggs but does not include meat or dairy items.
Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet: An ovo-vegetarian diet contains eggs but does not include meat or dairy items.
Pescatarian diet: A pescatarian diet consists of fish and seafood but does not contain meat.
Flexitarian diet: A flexitarian diet consists mostly of plants, though it may include small amounts of dairy products, eggs, and meat in certain cases.
We know it’s tricky to think of a plant-based diet as falling into these categories.
Yes! They do. Now, what? By knowing all the types, are you satisfied yet to adopt veganism? Of course not!
For a major shift in your diet, knowing about a plant-based diet is not enough. You have to dig a little deeper and determine what a plant-based diet brings into people’s lives.
Health benefits of veganism
Not only word of mouth, but research confirms that serving vegetables and fruits can give you powers like a superhero and make your beating heart even stronger by reducing the risk of various heart diseases.
People with diabetes are advised to fill at least half of their plates with non-starchy vegetables to regulate their blood sugar. Not only that, ramping up your fruit and vegetables gives you a more robust immune system, lowers your cholesterol level,and helps reduce weight.
Moreover, a diet furnished with plant-based foods can lower the risk of:
- Cancer
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Chronic inflammation
Yes! We can understand that switching from a non-vegetarian to a vegan or even a semi-vegetarian can be extremely difficult. But as everyone says, change brings hope of a fruitful life, and the payoff of switching to a plant-based diet is an excellent quality of life with tremendous health benefits.
Now, the question is how to eat more fruits and vegetables when you have no idea where to start and can’t stop drilling over the non-vegetables. No worries, we have your back. From the ultimate powers of the universe and a pinch of happiness, we have generated a smacking idea of how effortlessly you can eat more vegetables and fruits without troubling anyone.
How can you eat more fruits and vegetables and become the next healthy superstar?
The magic is yet to spread; it takes time, so if you find it immensely rigorous and become unable to shift to veganism, but still want to improve your vegetable intake, do not lose hope. Adding more healthy plans to your meal planning is the key to leading the life that you always dreamed of, and by reading more, you can build it.
Eat a variety of plant-based foods
It’s tricky to consume more fruits and veggies in your diet when you are not used to it, but it’s not impossible. Add whole grains, nuts, and seeds to your green salad. Also, you can add bananas or berries to your cereal and make your eggs with chopped vegetables if you plan to become a full vegan. If you go for canned vegetables, you can drain or rinse them to reduce the sodium content.
Try preparing or cooking veggies in a variety of ways.
Do you find your salads boring, too? If your answer is also yes, you can try roasting carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, beets, and cauliflower. By using all these veggies, you can also make meatless versions of your favourite dishes, like the vegetarian burger, and enjoy them on days, especially in the monsoon, when the weather is pleasant.
Reduce your intake of processed foods
If you are a lover of processed food and do not have time to cook for yourself daily, it is understandable, but what is not acceptable is playing with your health and getting stressed later about it.
Suppose you love Korean foods and eat ramen daily, you should cut its intake to two to three times a week for a month until you find yourself not craving it anymore. Find yourself healthy snacks or guilt-free substitutes for your favourite food. For example, make your pineapple pancake with wholegrain spelt instead of traditional flour.
Plan a day of cooking with your family
You do not have to sit and spend your holiday doing nothing; you can plan a cooking day with your family. Invite your friends and family, prepare a list of healthy dishes you can cook together, and enjoy your holiday as you have never before. This way, you not only help your close ones learn more about plant-based diets, animal rights, and sustainability, but also strengthen your relationships.
Along with the health benefits of a plant-based diet, let’s look at the environmental concerns that can turn out to be one of the primary reasons to adopt a plant-based diet and go vegan.
Environmental concerns
One of the key reasons people are moving to plant-based diets is environmental concerns. Animal agriculture has a substantial environmental impact, and plant-based diets are a more sustainable and environmentally beneficial option. Here are some of the major environmental challenges associated with animal husbandry, as well as the advantages of plant-based diets:
Greenhouse gas emissions: Animal agriculture is a vital contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to climate change. Research clears that animal agriculture is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based diets have a much lower carbon footprint, as they require less land, water, and energy to produce. So make your decision wisely.
Water use: It takes almost 15,000 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef, shocking, isn’t it? And a plant-based diet requires significantly less water, since plants need less water to grow than animals do.
Land use: Animal husbandry requires a substantial amount of land to raise cattle and grow feed crops. This can result in deforestation, habitat damage, and soil erosion. Plant-based diets, on the other hand, require less space and can assist alleviate pressure on natural ecosystems.
Water pollution: Animal agriculture contributes significantly to water pollution by contaminating streams and degrading aquatic habitats. Plant-based diets can help you to prevent water pollution by lowering cattle waste Production.
Biodiversity loss: Because native plant and animal species might suffer from habitat loss and ecosystem degradation, animal agriculture can result in biodiversity loss. By reducing strain on natural ecosystems and protecting wildlife habitats, plant-based diets can help preserve biodiversity.
Ethical considerations
The ethical aspect of veganism plays a significant role in attracting many to adopt plant-based diets. With the changing times, many are becoming concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food production. The motive to recognise the cruelty involved in factory farming and the desire to lower animal suffering have made everyone reevaluate their dietary patterns. When you decide to choose a vegan lifestyle, it is better to align your eating habits with your moral values so that animal exploitation can be reduced.
Increased availability and accessibility
Another factor you can consider when adopting a plant-based diet is the increased availability and accessibility of vegan options. Restaurants, food chains, and grocery stores have also responded to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives. Due to too many options and easy availability, adopting a plant-based diet and maintaining a vegan lifestyle has removed all the barriers that previously hindered the dietary change.
Celebrity Influence and Social Media
The rise of plant-based diets is also influenced by celebrity endorsements and the growing influence of social media. Numerous celebrities, including actresses, musicians, and athletes, have publicly supported veganism and used their platforms to explain why they should convert. Their influence and the pervasive nature of social media play an important role in popularising and normalising veganism. Their sharing of plant-based diet recipes, meal ideas, and success stories on various online platforms has created a supportive and impactful community for the transition to a plant-based lifestyle.
In conclusion
By acknowledging all the above-mentioned factors, the popularity of plant-based diets is increasing day by day, driven by greater awareness of the health benefits veganism offers.
As more people continue to recognize the positive impact of plant-based choices, the trend will likely continue to grow, leading to a more sustainable and compassionate future.
Always remember that transitioning to a plant-based diet should be a personal choice made with informed, specific decisions. Moreover, with a healthy diet and a yogic lifestyle, you can do everything you want. A strong will comes with a responsibility to change the life you desire, so do it for yourself and inspire your loved ones to do the same, so they can be enthralled by the exciting journey of life.
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