Eating Healthy for the Good of the Earth, One Bite at a Time
We eat three meals a day, on average. That gives us three opportunities to limit the impact of our food choices on the environment. It is definitely possible to make informed food choices, without depriving ourselves, so that we can eat healthy and save our planet, one bite at a time. A vegan diet featuring plant-based products could not be more tasty!
The Vegan Diet Is Gaining Ground
As they become more and more mainstream, vegan products provide a thousand and one varieties and possibilities. In fact, the vegan products market has exploded in recent years. Why? Because people today are a lot more aware of the impact that their food choices can have on the environment.
In addition to the climate catastrophe, people are also conscious of the effect their food choices have on the animals that are bred for food on an industrial scale. A growing number of Canadians consider the wellbeing of the environment, and of animals, to be important factors in their decision to eat less meat.
You may have seen the well-known documentary Cowspiracy, What the Health or Forks over Knives. They expose the harsh realities of industrial breeding, and of its irreversible impact on the environment.
We must face the facts: the large-scale breeding and transportation of animals are integral to the ecological footprint of the food products we buy. By itself, beef production is responsible for half of all the greenhouse gas emissions that are attributed to the industrial breeding of animals. The digestive systems of cows produce methane, a gas that is 25 times more damaging to the climate than CO₂!
Another factor that has caused people to become more open to vegan products is the huge increase in meat prices due to the pandemic. They also appreciate the fact that the vegan diet is better for their health, without compromising on flavor!
Trust us, you’ll be pleasantly surprised the first time you try a vegan dish. Plant-based foods are every bit as good as animal protein products!
Adopting a Vegan Diet for the Good of the Earth and of Oneself
Without a doubt, the vegan diet promotes the wellbeing of animals and the preservation of the planet, but did you know that it seems vegans are happier than meat eaters? That is precisely what has been revealed by studies in which vegans obtained better results in tests of depression and on Profile of Mood States Questionnaires than people who eat fish and/or meat. Impressive, isn’t it?
But there’s more: the vegan diet provides more dietary fiber, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin A, C, and E – all of which are nutrients that a healthy body requires. There is also a study that suggests that plant-based foods, which are rich in phytochemicals (naturally present in plant tissues), could contribute to reducing the risk of certain illnesses.
For example, lutein, found especially in spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and artichokes, could help prevent or heal cataracts, macular degeneration, heart disease, and even various cancers.
In fact, diet is one of the 10 main lifestyle components that can increase the risk of developing cancer according to the World Cancer Research Fund, the American Cancer Society, and the Canadian Cancer Society. That explains the importance of a sound diet for your own health, as well as that of the planet.
Psst! It’s not only plant-based meat products that are beneficial for the planet. Our entirely plant-based cheeses are worth exploring and sharing with your friends and family. Try them, you’ll be amazed at how delicious they are!
