Plant Power: Benefits and how to add plant-food in your diet

Plant power refers to the power of plants as a source of nutrients and health benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore what plant power is, its benefits, and how you can incorporate it into your diet.

What is plant power?

Plant power refers to the power of plants as a source of nutrients and health benefits. Plants are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help support overall health and well-being (1). By incorporating more plants into your diet, you can improve your health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Benefits of plant power:

1. Improved nutrient intake: Plants are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help support overall health and well-being (2). By incorporating more plants into your diet, you can improve your nutrient intake and promote better health.
2. Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Plant-based diets have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (3). This is due to the high nutrient content of plants and their ability to reduce inflammation in the body.
3. Environmental sustainability: Plant-based diets are also more environmentally sustainable than animal-based diets (4). Plants require fewer resources to grow than animals, and the production of plant-based foods has a lower carbon footprint.
4. Weight management: Plant-based diets can also help with weight management, as they are typically lower in calories and higher in fiber than animal-based diets (5).

Getting started with plant power:

1. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet: Start by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Try adding a serving of vegetables to every meal, or snacking on fruit instead of processed snacks
2. Explore plant-based protein sources: Explore plant-based protein sources, such as beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. These can be added to meals to increase protein intake and help you feel full and satisfied.
3. Experiment with plant-based recipes: Experiment with plant-based recipes to find new and delicious ways to incorporate more plants into your diet. There are countless plant-based recipes available online, from simple salads to complex entrees.
4. Consider a plant-based diet: Consider transitioning to a plant-based diet if you’re looking to reap the full benefits of plant power. This can be done gradually by reducing your intake of animal-based foods and increasing your intake of plant-based foods.

Conclusion

Plant power is a simple and effective way to improve your health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. By incorporating more plants into your diet, you can improve your nutrient intake, reduce inflammation, and promote environmental sustainability. Whether you’re looking to manage your weight, reduce your risk of disease, or simply improve your overall health, plant power is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals. So why not start incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet today?

If you have enjoyed this read, check out our post on 10 Ways to Slowly Ease into Veganism!

References:

1. Liu, R. H., 2013. Health-Promoting Components of Fruits and Vegetables in the Diet. Advances in Nutrition, 4(3), p. 384–392.
2. Reiss, A. B., Pinkhasov, A., Ding, H. & Kasselman, L. J., 2022. Plants, Plants, and More Plants: Plant-Derived Nutrients and Their Protective Roles in Cognitive Function, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Other Dementias. Medicina, 58(8).
3. Tuso, P. J., Ismail, M. H., Ha, B. P. & Bartolotto, C., 2013. Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets. The Permanente Journal, 17(2), pp. 61-66.
4. Sabaté, J. & Soret, S., 2014. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Sustainability of plant-based diets: back to the future, 100(1), p. 476–482.
5. Heianza, Y. et al., 2021. Healthful plant-based dietary patterns, genetic risk of obesity, and cardiovascular risk in the UK biobank study. Clinical Nutrition, 40(7), pp. 4694-4701.