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plant-based diets

Plant-based diets have become the new ‘it’ thing, but is it just a trend or is it here to stay?

With a large portion of the population becoming more aware of what they put into their bodies, it’s no surprise that people are leaning towards a more plant-focused diet. This means eating more veggies, fruits, beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds instead of animal products and processed foods. Eating more plants and less processed foods not only lets you be aware of exactly what you’re eating but it’s also very beneficial for your body & the world! Need some convincing on why plant-based diets are the better option? Here are 6 good reasons to consider:

1. Lower Blood Pressure

Many people that eat a predominately plant-based diet have lower blood pressure due to a higher intake of potassium-rich foods. Potassium helps lower blood pressure which leads to stress & anxiety. Almost all whole grains, legumes, seeds & all fruits & vegetables contain high amounts of potassium whereas meats & all other animal based products contain little to no potassium.

2. Better Blood Sugar

One of the best ways to fight high blood sugar is to eat more fiber. Fiber is known to slow down the absorption of sugars in the blood stream & as a result can help improve how hungry you are all day long. Nuts, whole grains, legumes, seeds & fruits & vegetables all contain higher levels of fiber than most meats or animal products.

3. Lower Cholesterol

Lowered cholesterol is one of the main benefits you’ll receive from eating a plant-based diet. This is because plants contain NO cholesterol at all! Therefore a plant-based diet is one of the simplest & healthiest ways to lower cholesterol.

4. Weight Loss

Weight loss naturally occurs when you consume more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than you do animal fats and proteins. So if you’re consuming a whole foods, plant-based diet, you’re going to lose weight!

5. Better for the Environment

While this one is not a ‘health’ benefit, it is a benefit nonetheless! It takes around 15lbs of grain to produce 1lb of beef, we could use less water & other energy resources if we ate the grain ourselves.

6. Cost Effective

While many think that plant-based diets are more expensive, eating plant-based foods can actually be quite cost effective. When it comes to purchasing lentils, nuts, seeds, etc, you may be paying a little more but you are getting much more than you would get compared to meats, or packaged foods.

It is hard to argue against a plant-based diet when you see the benefits it has on not only our own health, but on the environment as well!

 

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