fruits

What are the reasons to eat more plants?

  • It is great for optimal health and weight.  Plants have no cholesterol, are high in fiber, most are low in fat, low in calories, and they have protein. On average people who switch to a plant-based lifestyle lose around 10-20 lbs and some people who have more weight to lose end up losing more than 20 lbs.
  • It can help prevent and reverse chronic disease.  There is evidence that suggests a plant-based diet can help prevent and even reverse some major diseases like colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. See http://www.pcrm.org for more information.
  • You can feel great and have more energy.  When eating a plant-based diet the body is healthier, stronger, and can fight off some major diseases.  It boosts your immune system and gives you more energy after a meal instead of feeling like you need to take a nap. It also can give you clear thinking without brain fog.
  • It will help you live longer.  Eating plant-based foods means more antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.  Plants have less damaging fats and more fiber. Those who live in the blue zones and live on plants have been found to have the highest population of people over the age of 100. See www.blueszones.com for more info and recipes.
  • It can help reduce your healthcare costs.  When we have unhealthy symptoms we tend to take a pill rather than look at what we could change in our lifestyle to fix the problem.    If we look at our bodies as a working machine that needs the right fuel in order to run well we would pay less for doctor’s visits and medications which mostly take care of the symptoms and not the underlying problem. Try fixing your problem with diet instead of with pills but always check with your physician before making changes to your diet.
  • It can help with better vascular and digestive health. A plant-based diet is a cleansing diet.  Your body will use what it needs and expel what it doesn’t need. The high fiber and low fat helps in vascular disease.  Studies show in parts of the world where people eat a plant-based diet  such as rural China and Central Africa, heart disease is less common as well as colon cancer. Check out www.who.org for more information.
  • It can help reduce cholesterol.  High cholesterol causes a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cholesterol is found naturally in egg yolks, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products.  These products aid in the development of plaque which increases the risk of heart disease. Plants have no cholesterol.  If you want to lower your cholesterol move away from eating animal foods and eat plants! Try starting with oatmeal or oat bran for breakfast with fruit.
  • It can help reduce blood sugar.  The natural sugar found in plants is metabolized more slowly by the body so you don’t get sugar spikes the same way you would when you eat refined sugars found in processed foods and sugar cane. For some people they can reverse their type II diabetes and get off their diabetes medications. Work with your doctor to make these changes.
  • It is kind to animals. Animals have the same kind of central nervous system as we do.  They can feel pain, anxiety,  and fear.  We can get all our nutritional needs except for vitamin B 12 from plants without having to kill animals for our food. Research is telling us that eating animal protein  including casein found in cow’s milk is not healthy.  Plant protein is low fat and high in fiber, therefore a healthier protein than animal protein.  For more information about the cruelty of animals go to www.peta.org
  • It helps to reduce pollution and climate change.  Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and more than the combined exhaust for all transportation. Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.  Animal agriculture is responsible for 80-90% of U.S. water consumption.  2,500-6,000 gallons of water are needed to produce 1 lb of beef  compared to 250 gallons of water to produce 1 lb of bread. Less meat means less heat for the  planet.  Eating more plants are best to reduce climate change.   To read more facts about the effects of animal agriculture go to www.cowspiracy.com or for more information go to  www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/ffarms.asp

fruits and veggiesPLANTS ARE BEST!!