Whether you actively embrace a vegan lifestyle, are considering making the change or are a verified meat lover; there is no denying that when a meat free diet is done right it can do wonders for both your body, and the planet. Here’s how-adopting-a-vegan-diet-can-save-your-health, and the environment.
Going meatless even once a week can reduce your risk of developing chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. As well as reducing your carbon footprint, and helping to preserve natural resources – and your budget. Bonus!
A reduced meat way of life has become so popular that it has been coined the ‘flexitarian’ diet. A description of those whose diet is predominantly plant-based but occassionally eats meat. This way of eating is also heavily reflected in Mediterranean lifestyles where red meat is limited; and the focus is instead on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats
Our Docs recommend focusing on eating a plant-based diet at least once a week; with all our menus full of delicious, plant-based goodness. Even our Healthy Balance, Gluten Free and Dairy Free menus incorporate one full day of vegetarian meals to help improve your overall inner health and wellbeing.
Health Benefits
Replacing saturated fat-rich foods (think: meat and full fat dairy) with those that are rich in polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer risks. While the vegetables, legumes, and whole grains that are used to replace a serving of meat help shield you from developing these chronic diseases too. They are brimming with protective nutrients and antioxidants that fuel your body properly.
While it is possible to get your five-a-day for a fraction of the cost of a steak; people on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices than their meat loving counterparts; and are less likely to develop diabetes.
Don’t worry though, you don’t have to quit cold turkey. Simply reducing your meat intake slowly can have a protective effect on your body, and your health.
Here are The Docs tips for how to embrace a flexitarian lifestyle.
1. Swap It Out: Stock up on foods that can substitute meat in your dishes. Beans, Tofu, Chickpeas, Lentils and Mushrooms are all up to the task.
2. Pack The Protein Punch: Swap half of your usual meat serving with a high protein meat-free substitute. Instead of 120 grams of chicken try 60 grams paired with 60 gram serving of chickpeas.
3. Cut The Fat: Reduce your intake of sausages and bacon. These meats might be delicious but they contain a ton of sodium, preservatives, and fats that aren’t doing you any favours. Saturated fats, for example, are linked with high cholesteral levels in our blood, and increased internal inflammation.
4. Ease Out Of Meat: Consider going meatless just one day a week. Or start with a couple of meatless lunches or dinners a week to ease you out of meat, and into a plant-based diet.
Environmental Benefits
Embracing a vegetarian diet also has amazing benefits for our planet. By embracing a vegetarian diet it is possible to reduce the impact of climate change, rainforest destruction, and pollution. As well as the ability to save water and other precious resources.
The meat industry generates nearly one fifth of man-made greenhouse gas emissions – more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together. Similarly, the water needed to produce meat is significantly higher than that required for vegetables or grains. Switching to a diet free of meat and animal products saves 50 percent more carbon emissions than driving a Prius. Similarly, raising animals for food uses a staggering 30 percent of the Earth’s land mass; while 70 percent of grain that is grown is used to feed farm animals. Reducing meat consumption can significantly aid efforts to end world hunger.
Join The Doc
Whether you are after a healthy balance of plant and meat-based products, or a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle than The Doc’s nutritionally balanced menus might be right for you. We want to meet your body’s needs with tailored programs that focus on achieving and maintaining long-term good health. Book in with one of our Docs and start next Tuesday.
The Doctor’s Kitchen and our doctors service all Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba areas.
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