In Part I of Moving to a Plant based diet I explained what a plant based diet looked like. Now here are a few reasons why eating a plant based diet is a good idea.
A. You’ll save money. Beef cost nearly ten times as much per person than vegetables (veg = .12 cents per serving vs. beef $1.30 per serving). Fish, especially wild caught is a good healthier option but is more expensive than fruits and vegetables.
B. You’ll lower your carbon foot print dramatically.
C. You will reduce intake of saturated fats known to be detrimental to cardiovascular health. OPt for wild caught fish instead and you will be getting the right kind of fats (essential fatty acids).
D. You’ll reduce your toxic load from hormones and GMO grown corn and soy - this is what commercial meat industry feed livestock with and is another reason to eat only grass fed/organic meats when you do eat them.
E. You will increase your fiber intake. Fiber improves digestion and elimination of toxins in the body.
F. You’ll be eating more nutrient dense foods.
G. You’ll be eating more vitamins
H. You’ll improve your transit time – plants are easier and faster for the body to digest and eliminate.
Now that you know some of the reasons to eat more plant based foods and less animal based foods I hope you’ll start making this healthy change. Here are some tips to help you make the transition:
· Start the day with fresh fruit such as those low on the glycemic index such as raspberries, strawberries or blueberries. Enjoy with some plain, low fat yogurt.
· Think in reverse of what you’re used to - Build each meal around vegetables, beans, legumes and nuts/seeds as the main course and treat animal protein sources as a side dish.
· If your used to consuming animal protein twice a day, say at lunch time and then at dinner, replace one of those meals with a plant based protein source such as beans, nuts, soy products (be sure they are organic!). Try hummus made from chick peas and tahini butter – YUM!
· Remember whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat and oats also contain protein.
· Eat a salad at both lunch and dinner.
· Eat salads first before you dig in to your cooked foods.
· Use fresh herbs to flavor home made salad dressings.
· Commit to eating entirely plant based meals one day a week and work up to three or more days a week.
Give it a try – and let me know how you feel after eating this way for a few weeks!
