Why choose a plant-based diet?

Welcome back to the blog, if you read my first introductory blog post, you will know that Chaz delights nutrition is all about sharing plant-based goodness. In the last few years, I have noticed a significant rise in vegan products in the supermarkets, vegan options featuring on restaurant menus and more and more celebrities promoting a vegan lifestyle. The Vegan society have reported that between the years 2014 and 2019, google trends have noted a seven-fold increase in the searches related to veganism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vegan society conducted a survey and found that 1 in 5 Brits have cut down their meat consumption in this time. In addition to this, the most recent ‘Veganuary’ campaign- (an initiative that encourages individuals to try veganism in the month of January) saw 500,000 pledge to be vegan for January 2021 which was a record high for this initiative.

So, is this all a fad, a hype, a trend with no substance behind the rise in so many choosing to avoid animal products in recent years? Well, as veganism has been on the rise around the world for various reasons, plant-based diets have been of interest in the scientific community. Is there any evidence that shows that adopting a plant-based diet can have an impact on your health?

Let’s have a brief look:

The British Dietetic Association, the professional body for dietitians in the UK have stated that a well-planned plant-based diet can support healthy living at every life stage. Scientific evidence points to the positive association between vegetarian diet and reduced risk for several chronic diseases.

Studies have noted that the more meat one has in their diet the greater the chance for the individual to have higher weight and body mass index (the ratio between weight and height).
Plant based diets are associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease which includes: coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke.
Plant based diets are also important for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lowering meat intake can help in the prevention of some cancers.

In addition to the benefits of a plant-based diet, the dangers of eating meat are also documented. In 2015, The World Health Organisation released information to state that the ‘consumption of red meat is probably carcinogenic to humans.’ It was also stated that ‘each 50-gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%.’

There are many other health behaviours that can influence one’s risk to such diseases such as smoking status, alcohol intake, stress, amount of sleep, and amount of exercise to name a few! It is therefore important that in order to have optimal health, that health is viewed from a holistic perspective. There is also no one diet fits all approach.

Nevertheless, it is fair to say that the evidence is plenteous in advocating the benefits of a diet that promotes a reduction in meat and animal products. You may be thinking, that’s all great but I wouldn’t have a clue of how to make the transition towards a plant-based diet!

Here are a few tips of how you can go about making changes in your diet to reduce your risk of chronic lifestyle disease:

Have one ‘meat-free day’ a week, experiment with different vegetarian recipes, why not challenge yourself to try one new recipe a week? Be adventurous!
Find a friend or family member who is willing to make changes with you! Peer support goes a long way in helping us stick to our goals.
Do your research, find out the best alternatives for the foods you are aiming to remove from your diet. Don’t just focus on what you will remove, but also what you will add!

If you’re not subscribed to the blog, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future blog posts. I hope this page will prove to be a valuable resource in assisting you on your journey towards a plant-based diet.

Until next time, by for now!

Chaz xx

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Why choose a plant-based diet?

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