Going Plant-Based: The Benefits of Eating More Plants
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of some of your grocery store favorites? For awhile there, we were both pretty naïve to what we were actually putting into our bodies. It wasn’t until we started reading nutrition labels, watching documentaries, and researching the ingredients in some of our favorite foods that we took a step back and reconsidered the things we would allow in our diet. Think about it this way. Most of you are aware that we live in Minnesota. For a majority of the year, Minnesota sees freezing temperatures making farming nearly impossible outside of the hot summer months.
As we sat in our home one cold -10*F Saturday in December eating an apple I thought to myself. How far did this apple have to travel for me to enjoy it here in the cold winter months of Minnesota. Furthermore, what chemicals did they use for this to apple to be picked, stored, travel thousands of miles, and end up on my grocery store shelf for weeks until I purchased it? It’s crazy when you take a second to just reconsider food and the system behind not only this singular apple - but almost everything that exists on some of the shelves in our American grocery stores today.
As more and more people become aware of the impact of their food choices on their health and the environment, plant-based eating is gaining popularity. Plant-based diets center around foods that come from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The benefits of eating more plants are numerous and significant, including improved health outcomes, reduced environmental impact, and support for animal welfare.
Health Benefits
Eating a plant-based diet has been shown to have numerous health benefits. These diets tend to be high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while also being lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. This can lead to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Plant-based diets have also been associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) and a reduced risk of obesity.
Check out this plant-based butter that we’re absolutely OBSESSED with: Miyoko’s Creamery Cultured Vegan Butter.
Environmental Benefits
Plant-based eating is also beneficial for the environment. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. By reducing our consumption of animal products and choosing plant-based options, we can reduce our carbon footprint and support sustainable farming practices. Somehow eating a vegan diet based solely on environmental reasoning has somehow become a political statement and another reason to just reconsider the information that’s out there. I’ll leave the debate for those who care to debate it. For me, I am just grateful that I am able to help make an impact in my own small way.
Animal Welfare
In addition to the health and environmental benefits, plant-based eating supports animal welfare. By choosing to eat plant-based foods, we reduce the demand for animal products and the suffering of animals in the food industry.
Here’s a delicious plant based recipe to help get you started!
Recipe: Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of ways. One unique way to use cauliflower is to make cauliflower steaks. Cauliflower steaks are thick slices of cauliflower that are roasted or grilled until tender and caramelized. Here is a recipe for cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce.
Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower
2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Remove the leaves and trim the stem of the cauliflower head. Cut it into 1-inch slices.
Brush the cauliflower steaks with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
Flip the cauliflower steaks and roast for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until tender and caramelized.
While the cauliflower is roasting, make the chimichurri sauce. In a food processor, combine the parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pulse until well combined.
Serve the cauliflower steaks with chimichurri sauce on top.
Eating more plants can have significant benefits for our health, the environment, and animal welfare. Incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet doesn't have to be difficult or boring. Experiment with different vegetables and flavors, like cauliflower steaks with chimichurri sauce, to make your meals exciting and delicious. I give you my word, some of our plant-based “experiments” actually turned out better than their full meat and dairy counterparts.
Please note I am not a doctor or nutritionist, nor is this article meant to give medical advice. It is meant to be purely for entertainment purposes only.