Pea-n-Me
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
And here’s an opinion from a Registered Dietician with our friends The British Heart Foundation:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informations...ne/nutrition/ask-the-expert/plant-based-diets
For a diet to be plant-based it needs the majority of the food included to come from plant sources, and we should all be eating more foods like fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and plant-based sources of protein like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds.
But that doesn’t mean this way of eating can’t include any food from animal sources. Plant-based diets include a range of dietary patterns and both the traditional Mediterranean diet and the UK government’s Eatwell guide can be described as plant-based, even though they may also still contain some meat, fish and dairy products. However, a vegan diet which excludes all animal products would also be an example of a plant-based diet.
So switching to a plant based diet doesn’t necessarily need to mean a radical change to your eating habits. A Mediterranean-style diet, which includes plenty of fruit, veg, pulses and fish, and only small amounts of meat, may be easier to follow than a strict vegan diet. It’s also linked to lower rates of heart disease than a conventional Western diet.
However, a vegan diet may suit some people and when well-balanced this can also be a healthy way to eat. But the more foods that we exclude from our diets, the harder it is to balance our eating. So, if it’s going to be a long-term change to veganism, rather than the odd meal, make sure you understand what you need to include in your diet to get the range of nutrients that you need.
Remember, plant-based foods also aren't automatically healthy. Too much saturated fat, sugar and salt from any source can harm your health. There are an increasing number of manufactured plant-based snack foods available, from cupcakes and coconut yoghurts to vegan burgers, pizzas and nuggets. It’s still important to read food labels and understand what you are eating.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informations...ne/nutrition/ask-the-expert/plant-based-diets
Should I switch to a plant-based diet?
For a diet to be plant-based it needs the majority of the food included to come from plant sources, and we should all be eating more foods like fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and plant-based sources of protein like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds.
But that doesn’t mean this way of eating can’t include any food from animal sources. Plant-based diets include a range of dietary patterns and both the traditional Mediterranean diet and the UK government’s Eatwell guide can be described as plant-based, even though they may also still contain some meat, fish and dairy products. However, a vegan diet which excludes all animal products would also be an example of a plant-based diet.
So switching to a plant based diet doesn’t necessarily need to mean a radical change to your eating habits. A Mediterranean-style diet, which includes plenty of fruit, veg, pulses and fish, and only small amounts of meat, may be easier to follow than a strict vegan diet. It’s also linked to lower rates of heart disease than a conventional Western diet.
However, a vegan diet may suit some people and when well-balanced this can also be a healthy way to eat. But the more foods that we exclude from our diets, the harder it is to balance our eating. So, if it’s going to be a long-term change to veganism, rather than the odd meal, make sure you understand what you need to include in your diet to get the range of nutrients that you need.
Remember, plant-based foods also aren't automatically healthy. Too much saturated fat, sugar and salt from any source can harm your health. There are an increasing number of manufactured plant-based snack foods available, from cupcakes and coconut yoghurts to vegan burgers, pizzas and nuggets. It’s still important to read food labels and understand what you are eating.
