There are many benefits to following a plant-based diet, including better health, weight loss, delicious food, and spiritual development. As an avid animal-rights advocate and vegan, Russell Jack from Southland, not only suggests the reasons why you should try to avoid meat but also discusses how being a vegan can help the environment and prevent animal cruelty.
Below, there are 7 reasons why you should try a plant-based diet:
Plant-Based Diets Help Prevent Disease
Switching to plant-based will help stave off several chronic diseases. Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and several forms of cancer can all be prevented by eating less animal fat and more fruits and vegetables. Plant-based diets have been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. This might sound unbelievable, but heart disease can get reversed from eating a plant-based diet.
Plant-Based Can Help You Lose Weight
When you eliminate animal products and all of the fat that comes with it and replaces it with plants, fruits, and vegetables, you will see the weight fall off. In addition to no longer eating fatty tissues, eating more fruits and vegetables will fill you up faster and keep you fuller longer, eliminating snacking and extra calories from your diet.
Plant-Based Can Save the Environment
Research shows that it takes up to 660 gallons of water to make one single hamburger. Furthermore, one to two acres of rainforest are cleared every second to be used for animal agriculture. Animal agriculture has been shown to be responsible for 91% of the Amazon Rainforest’s destruction. Livestock and livestock byproducts are responsible for 51% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. By switching to a plant-based diet, you can play a part in reducing these emissions and wasting the Earth’s precious resources.
Save the Animals
Did you know you can save the environment and the animals simply by switching to a plant-based diet? In fact, saving animals is one of the main reasons people switch to plant-based. Many of those who adopt a plant-based diet choose to make the commitment to not use any form of animal products including leather or use any products that are tested on animals. Today, there are many alternatives to animal products from plant-based “meat” to cruelty-free make-up and other grooming products.
Improved Skin
If you are looking to clear up acne and get a beautiful Hollywood glow to your skin, a plant-based diet may be what you need. Cutting back on animal products means that you will be cutting back on saturated fat, a notorious cause behind clogging pores. Plus, a lot of the vitamins you will get from fruits and vegetables are notorious for healthy, glowing skin. For example, vitamin C in sweet potatoes boosts collagen and smoothes out wrinkles.
Improved Digestion
As you know by now, plants have a ton of nutrients in them. This means that when eating plants, your body has to do less work to digest what you are eating.
Improved Energy
Did you know that plants give our bodies instant energy? Since they are easily-digested, the nutrients are able to shoot right into the bloodstream, giving us instant energy.
Russell Jack suggests, that if you are interested in testing out a plant-based diet, remember that you don’t have to do it all at once. If you switch too abruptly, you may increase your chances of failing. Because of this, starting out slowly is preferable. See how it makes you feel, and once you are comfortable with it, make the full switch.
About Russell Herbert Jack
Russell Herbert Jack is a yoga and mindfulness teacher from Southland, who specializes in Vinyasa Yoga, Qigong, and guided meditations, helping his clients to achieve harmony of body, mind, and soul. Russell is passionate about animal rights protection, regularly volunteering with the World Animal Protection Organization and donating to protect endangered species in New Zealand.