Should You Switch to a Plant-Based Diet?

Looking for a healthy, delicious, AND ethical way of eating?

Should you switch to a plant-based diet?

Are you looking for a new diet, but aren’t sure what to do? These reasons to switch to a plant-based diet may be the sign that you’ve been waiting for! Not only is a plant-based diet good for your overall health, but it will also work wonders on your waistline. If you’ve never considered participating in a plant-based diet, you’re about to!

What is a Plant-Based Diet?

What is a plant-based diet?

Plant-based diets primarily consist of fresh vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and whole fruits. Contrary to popular belief, plant-based diets can still contain small amounts of lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish) and reduced fat dairy products; you don’t have to be a vegan. You can be as flexible as you’d like. 

Reasons to Switch to a Plant-Based Diet

Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases

Adhering to a plant-based diet can decrease your risk of quite a few serious chronic diseases. You might want to consider this type of diet if you’re at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, certain skin conditions, obesity, and cancer. The foods included in a plant-based diet are excellent sources of unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.

One study followed 200,000 US adults partaking in a plant-based diet for 20 years. They found that these individuals had a 20% less risk of developing type 2 diabetes when compared to individuals eating a low-plant diet.

Another study followed 500,000 US adults for over 16 years. Those who regularly ate red and other processed meats (like hot dogs and deli meat) had a 26% higher risk of early death. For those that substituted red and processed meat with unprocessed white meats (like free-range chicken), the risk of early death decreased by 25%.

Decrease in Overall Body Fat

The foods that you eat while following a plant-based diet are generally much more nutrient dense. As compared to processed foods, they’re also relatively low in calories. So, it’s usually pretty simple to shed excess body fat while on a plant-based diet.

More Affordable

If you’re currently a meat eater, you may be aware of how expensive meat is! While organic fruits and vegetables can be more expensive than other produce options, it won’t compare to the price of meat about 90 percent of the time. Switching to a plant-based diet can save you quite a bit of money each week. Furthermore, you can even grow some of your own fruits and veggies at home, which is even more cost effective!

Find New Favorite Recipes

Steak and chicken can get old after a while. Trying a whole new diet provides you with the opportunity to try new recipes! Plant-based diets typically utilize a lot more herbs and spices to make your meals more exciting. At SkinnyMs, we have dozens of delicious plant-based recipes for you to choose from. Try out some of our favorites!

Breakfast

Oatmeal is a nutritious plant-based breakfast.

Lunch

Mushrooms will become a staple in your plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian lifestyle.

Dinner

Stir-fry is plant-based-friendly and full of nutrients and flavors!

Plant-Based Diets Help Animals

Often times, animals brought-up for consumption are raised in less-than-ideal living conditions. By switching to a plant-based diet, you may be able to save approximately 100 animals per year. According to one study, that is the average number of animals one person will consume in a year. Think of how many animals you and your family could save if you cut out meat, dairy, and eggs!

Did these reasons to switch to a plant-based diet convince you to change it up? You don’t have to do it forever, but it’s worth a shot, isn’t it? Following a plant-based diet may not only save your life but the lives of hundreds of animals as well! 

Are you going to give the plant-based diet a try? Have you tried it in the past? If so, what did you think? Love it or hate it, we want to know! Tell us about it in the comment section, below!

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Erin Miller

Erin is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is also a Performance Nutrition Coach, certified through the Clean Health Fitness Institute. Some of Erin’s favorite hobbies include hiking, kayaking, and hanging out at the beach, although weight lifting is her greatest passion. She says, “Weight training is one of the most empowering things a person can do. Not just seeing, but feeling yourself transform… There’s just nothing else like it.”

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