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3 Reasons to Choose Plant-Based Foods

Vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets are widely accepted in cultures around the world. Put simply, the practice of not eating meat or avoiding the consumption of animal products is a personal choice. That may be a religious choice, a health choice, or a moral choice. Here is a quick look at examples of reasons people opt for plant-based foods.

1.)Abstaining from Meat for Religious Reasons
A timely religious example of abstaining from meat is during the season of Lent. Many Christians observe Lent as a time of reflection, repentance, and self-sacrifice during the 40 days prior to Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (occurring March 6 this year) with fasting and abstinence from meat. Mardi Gras (French phrase referencing “Fat Tuesday”) celebrates decadence and eating rich foods prior to the Lenten season.
During lent, many Christians religiously skip chicken, pork, and red meat on Fridays, which is why you’ll find churches around the world hosting “Friday Fish Fry” events for parishioners and the public. Years ago, before nearly every restaurant had actual vegetarian options on their menus, the church’s fish, vegetable sides, and seafood dishes at restaurants were the limited non-meat choices. Today, however, with vegetarian entrees like juicy Portobello sandwiches, pesto pastas with sundried tomatoes, and exotic vegetable curry dishes, it seems vegetarianism hardly feels like a sacrifice.

2.) Plant-Based Foods for Benefiting Your Health
No matter your religion, there are universal benefits to becoming a full-time or part-time vegetarian by reducing meat consumption and increasing plant-based foods in your diet. Top of the list of benefits would be an improvement in your health through an increase of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, and herbs.
Our team is constantly touting the benefits of superfoods and explaining the healing power of medicinal foods used by ancient cultures around the world. Some studies show that plant-based diets can help lower risks associated with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and other conditions.

3.) Vegetarian Choices for Improving the Environment
Our world’s agricultural practices, including the farming of animals for food consumption, is affecting our environment. Some studies show that vegetarian diets may be more sustainable than omnivore diets because certain vegetable-based crops feed more people with less land, thus, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions is considered essential to sustainability.
Additionally, we have an ever-growing population around the world needing more food. This means we are using more and more of our precious land for farming. Overuse of land results in many species around the world losing their natural habitats. These factors inspire many people to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle not just for themselves, but also to protect animal populations and the earth.

Have you considered going vegetarian for ethical, environmental, religious, or nutritional reasons? What are your reasons for choosing plant-based foods? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook. The Eat, Heal, Travel team looks forward to hearing from you.