It’s the growing food trend and an industry worth billions of dollars. To put into perspective, Impossible Foods issued an IPO for $5 billion- and that’s just one brand!l and not a broad product line!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The reasons people go plant-based:
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There are 3 main reasons people turn to a plant based diet.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1) the environment ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2) animal welfare⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3) health⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Technically you can be vegan and not eat very healthy because it’s easy to be vegan and still fill your belly with sugar and processed food, while depleting your levels of protein and essential nutrients. When promoting a plant-based diet, we opt for a focus on whole food; rather than simply anything animal-product free.
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We are HUGE advocates for a non-animal product diet, but strongly believe it doing it for ALL three reasons because your body and brain need to be properly fed in order to properly function.
Looking deeper into a plant-based diet
We believe in the humane treatment of animals and don't see the reason behind growing to kill (factory farming) and killing unnecessarily in order to kill what you demand (commercial fishing).
In terms of the environment, the impact of the meat industry, particularly cows, along with the commercial fishing industry is one of, if not the greatest environmental issue we are facing globally. It’s also one of the greatest contributors to plastics pollution, deforestation, unhealthy ocean reefs, and climate change. Oddly, it’s one of the fastest problems to fix, or at least could be, and is purely a product of demand and preference, rather than a lack of options, affordability, technology issues, etc. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If consumers stopped purchasing commercial seafood and cow products produced with subpar, inhumane standards, those industries would change because they operate based on the demand of the consumer's desire for cheaper, faster, and constant supply.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Plant-based eating is an area where each individual can not only positively impact their body, but also the world. However, it's also important to have a basic knowledge of cooking and nutrition, or at least deep pockets, if pursuing this path.
What is needed to be plant-based
It's important to understand what the body needs in terms of nutrients so that you make sure you are supplying it with the fuel it needs to thrive. You could eat a diet of all Oreos and be vegan.... so there is some thought necessary in order to pursue this diet correctly.
Additionally, it's important to have some basic knowledge of cooking. Understanding what flavors taste best when combined, what spices and sauces to make or buy, and how to infuse texture into your cooking. You could definitely use recipes non-stop, but you also might mess up your meals as your diet persists and you seek something different and more inspiring. Taking a cooking class or taking the time to learn through a digital method could greatly benefit you.
Lastly, if you don't understand nutrition and cannot cook regardless of your motivation, having deep enough pockets to purchase the majority of your meals from plant-based restaurants, meal plans, or meal services like Hello Fresh (veggie additioin) might be your best bet!
Potential Problems with Plant-Based
I was once fully plant based, and am for the most part, in addition to being mostly gluten free. However, with this, I noticed how much of my food is not only packaged, but imported- at least when I am home in Hawaii. Depending on where you live, eating plant-based might have a heightened carbon footprint brought on through all aspects being shipped in and all items sold in plastic packaging. For the most part, eating the most sustainable diet is the diet that consists entirely off local, pesticide free foods that are produced/caught/farmed/hunted in ethical, eco-friendly ways. This might seem comical, but sadly, the world once operated like this and it was not that long ago. To really eat a humane, eco-friendly, and healthy diet, our individual communities must diversify our production, steer clear of mono-cropping, simplify our meals, and value fuel for our bodies above flavor.
Perhaps as individuals in this era of time, we must look at our demand for convenience, a low-cost to high quantity ratio, diversity, and sweetness, and ponder how that demand has shifted global diets, production methods, waste methods, and climate change.
Want to talk more about your thoughts on a plant based diet. Comment below!
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