plant based

Overview

““When we eat, we are taking the world into our bodies; that’s a very profound thing. We are changed by what we eat and we in turn change what we are eating. Our most profound engagement with the natural world happens on our plates.” – Michael Pollan, American author, journalist, activist and professor

Our values are served up on our plates every time we eat. The foods we choose and those we avoid express what’s important to us. So how can we eat in a way that respects the planet? A plant-based or vegan diet is a great way to live in harmony with people, all species, and our Earth. We don’t think of it as restrictive (in terms of eliminating meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy and other animal products), rather a celebration of the abundance of plants rich in nutrients, variety and flavor!

Animal agriculture is one of the main contributors to environmental degradation and negative climate impact. The facts speak for themselves:

Greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attributes 14.5% of global emissions to animal agriculture.This is greater than emissions from cars, trucks, ships, and planes combined! Animal agriculture releases massive amounts of carbon and 44% of global methane production.

Biodiversity Loss. We are perilously trading rich biodiversity for agricultural land to grow feed crops and provide grazing for animals. Nearly 50% of biodiversity loss and 75% of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is linked to animal agriculture. 

Ocean destruction. Through pesticide, fertilizer and waste runoff, livestock has indirectly caused more than 500 nitrogen-flooded dead zones in the ocean. The exploitative practices of the seafood industry have caused dangerous overfishing. If the current overfishing rate continues, the oceans may be fishless by 2048. However, we can still secure a future where the ocean is abundant with fish, if unsustainable fishing practices change now. 

Inefficient Land Use. Animal agriculture continues the global hunger crisis, because it is a highly inefficient use of resources and produces far less food than plant-based agriculture. For example, just one pound of beef requires 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water and 7 pounds of feed, whereas the same amount of wheat takes only 25 gallons of water to produce. 

Pollution. As animal agriculture was industrialized on a large scale, factory farms altered the way animals are raised and turned into food. Livestock food is high in synthetic pesticides and chemicals, so manure cannot be returned to nature as fertilizer. As a result, animals within each Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) generate tons of toxic manure that leach heavy metals and nitrates into soil and groundwater. 

Disease. Factory farms, especially in the United States, use a large amount of growth hormones. The combination of rapid growth, unsanitary living conditions, and overcrowding results in high rates of disease, which has led to rampant use of antibiotics in animal feed. This sharply increases antibiotic-resistant bacteria and causes over 2 million illnesses and an estimated 23,000 deaths in humans per year. 

The good news is that the numerous benefits of plant-based diets are becoming more widely known, gaining favor and following, appeal and accessibility!  

Scientific research highlighted in The China Study shows that a plant-based diet can reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various types of cancer, and other major illnesses. Many people also report bigger fitness payoffs, more energy, reduced inflammation, clearer skin, and wide-ranging better health outcomes after making the switch.

California legislators recently approved a bill to fund a school lunch program with plant-based food for millions of children. Alternatives to animal products are exploding in popularity and plant-based dishes are found on countless menus. Even during the early months of the pandemic, over 500 new plant-based restaurants opened, available in nearly every city. It’s a movement gaining momentum every day! 

Changing your diet to include more plant-based foods doesn’t have to happen all at once. A great way to begin the transition is through Meatless Monday. Eating plant-based just ONE day a week can save 1,150 gallons of water, 32 square feet of forest, and 21 pounds of carbon dioxide! You can always go a step further and think about ways to include plant-based food the rest of the week too. There are a myriad of ways to explore a plant-based diet, so find a starting point that works for you! From eating vegan meals once, twice or three times a week to changing the ratio of animal products to veggies on your plate to cutting certain meats, poultry, eggs and dairy from your diet entirely, each approach makes a difference.

Check out recipes at Meatless Monday Campaigns and these taco and burrito recipes from RW Garcia for inspiration, as well as great plant-based snacks. Our Conscious Kitchen Cookbook also has fantastic FLOSN plant-based recipes