There’s plenty of obvious reasons to eat more plant-based foods - especially if you’re trying to feel more energized, balanced, and connected. When we don’t feed our bodies properly, we don’t nourish our brains properly. In turn, this affects just about everything (our mood, our patience, our motivation as well as our overall functionality). Ultimately, plant-based and whole foods simply help our bodies to work at their utmost potential.

Here’s some of the many benefits to eating more plant-based foods:

1. Lifts your mood! :)

As a practicing vegan, I can certainly attest to the way eating plant-based regulates my mood as well as keeps me energized throughout the day. Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water is great for fighting bloating and generally recommended for feeling your best as well. Research that looked at the impact of diet on emotional well-being and productivity at 10 corporate sites of a major U.S. insurance company found that a plant-based diet led to significantly reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

2. Disease Prevention

Eating plant-based is so miraculous that it even prevents certain diseases! For example, in eliminating food that comes from an animal you eliminate all dietary cholesterol (which is a BIG win for heart health). Additionally, a major study showed that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to eating vegan stopped the progress of the cancer! A new study suggests that eating vegan can cut the risk of prostate cancer by 35%. Wow! Evidence also shows that plant-based diets are beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, breast cancer, and arthritis.

3. Reduces unnecessary SUGAR intake (something most Americans eat a bit too much of)

Relying on other sweeteners that are not synthetic, processed, or derived from animal products is a healthier and more sustainable way to feed our bodies. Our bodies love natural sugars, which can be found in fruits like watermelon, apples, bananas, and grapes (yum!) Plus, incorporating more fruit into our diets also benefits physical appearance like healthy and glowing hair, skin, and nails.

4. Contributes globally to our food supply!

By consuming more plant-based foods, you’re helping Mother Earth in a multitude of ways. One major way is helping to combat global hunger! Feeding grain to animals meant as food sources, like cows and chickens, reduces the amount of food and water accessible to underdeveloped nations. Thus, many go hungry while the same food they could be eating is given in high quantities to animals raised for slaughter. In fact, we could feed every human being on the planet today an adequate diet if we did no more than take the feed we’re giving to animals and turn it into food for humans. By eating plant-based foods, you’re participating in solving world hunger!

5. Plant-based foods have protein...say what?!

Before you say “what about a protein!?” The average American actually eats much more protein than is actually needed for a healthy diet and much of that tends to be red meat. It’s important to understand that meat alternatives (like beans, grains, tofu, seitan, tempeh, and chickpeas) have PLENTY of protein. For example: seitan has 37.5 grams of protein, tempeh: 9.5 grams, chickpeas: 9.5 grams, peanuts: 13 grams, and pumpkin seeds: 9.5 grams.

You may be thinking “what the heck is seitan?” Seitan is sometimes called “wheat meat” as it’s made from wheat gluten. It tastes savory like chicken or a portobello mushroom. More so, seitan is high in protein, but low in calories. So, it can help support satiety to keep you feeling full, which could promote weight loss. WARNING: The first time I ate seitan, it was used in vegan general tso’s chicken and I simply COULD. NOT. STOP. EATING IT! It’s just that good! It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve had my parents and grandparents (who are loyal meat eaters) try seitan and asked them what it was. Their response? “Chicken?” Thus, all I can say is: “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” :)

Picture: Vegan Seitan General Tso’s “Chicken”

Other ways of incorporating protein include GRAINS like rice and quinoa. Quinoa is different from rice in that it has more fiber and protein and it’s considered a super-food because of its considerable amount of nutrients and antioxidants. The taste of quinoa is slightly savory and some would describe it as nutty/seedy.

Some ways to eat quinoa include:

Seasoned/as a side dish...
Mix with chopped vegetables; Stuff into bell peppers...
Toss into a salad!

Picture: Quinoa Dish with Veggies

Although I’m a proponent of plant-based dietary intervention, I encourage the message that NO food is “bad” food.

I’m NOT a registered dietitian and I’ll refer out as needed to those who are seeking or are in need of dietetic advice and expertise. As a mental health practitioner, I understand overall wellness must involve nutritious eating and I encourage clients to eat what best serves their bodies. Our mental health is literally fueled by what we’re putting into our bodies!

Moderation is key and I reject any kind of restriction and/or unsafe dieting practices. With that being said, I certainly encourage eating more plant-based foods as I believe their healing qualities speak for themselves. There’s plenty of easy ways to incorporate plant-based foods into your diet (if you’re so interested). For example: swapping dairy milk with a creamy oat milk, mayo with avocado, and/or butter with olive oil or a butter alternative like Earth Balance. Your body (as well as the earth) will certainly thank you!

5 Reasons You Should Be Eating More Plant-Based Foods