5 Reasons to Eat More Veggies—on Any Diet
Learn why everyone should try to eat more veggies and less meat—and some simple ways to change your diet.
Calling myself a vegan is an easy way for me to explain my dietary preferences, but it’s not completely accurate. The true definition of a vegan is someone who does not eat or use animal products of any kind—including clothing, etc.—and concerns about animal welfare are usually the motivating factor. While I support the ethical treatment of animals wholeheartedly, I follow what’s more accurately called a plant-based diet for health reasons. I feel better when I avoid most animal products.
Going completely meatless might not be the right choice for everyone. But reducing the amount of meat in your diet certainly is. So, regardless of your dietary preferences, here are five good reasons why everyone should eat more veggies and less meat.
Why You Should Eat More Veggies
1. For your body
Numerous studies show that a plant-based diet can decrease the risk or reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
2. For your mind
On average, folks who follow a plant-based diet are more likely to be happy.
3. For the earth
A plant-based diet requires less energy, land, and water resources compared to a meat-based diet.
4. For animal welfare
Profit and demand take precedence over animal welfare on factory farms.
5. For your wallet
A whole foods plant-based diet can be less expensive than a meat-based diet.
How to Eat More Veggies
Changing the way you eat can feel like a huge challenge. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Rethink your plate
Instead of planning your meals around animal protein, like fish, pork, chicken, or beef, start with a plant-based protein or grain, like lentils or quinoa. Read How to Be a Healthy Vegan for more details. Don’t worry if you’re not ready to avoid meat altogether. Changing just a few meals a week can make a difference.
2. Be prepared
If you stock your kitchen with the right ingredients, you’ll have everything you need to make healthy plant-based meals. Use this Plant-Based Grocery List as a guide.
3. Make it easy
The easier a meal is to prepare, the more likely you are to make it. For this reason, I’m a huge advocate for processed foods. Wait, what? Are you wondering if you read that correctly? 😁 You did. The trick is to choose the right ones. Read 6 Processed Foods That Will Help You Eat Healthier to learn more.
4. Improve some skills
The more adept you become at preparing plant-based meals, the more you will enjoy them. For example, making a salad may seem like a no-brainer. But there is a real art (and a secret!) to making a delicious and satisfying salad—one that’s so good a die-hard meat eater would be reluctant to call it “rabbit food.” Check out How to Make a Perfect Salad to learn the secret.
Hopefully, these tips make it all seem less daunting. This entire website aims to make adopting a plant-based diet easier, so I encourage you to keep digging—and reach out or leave a comment if you have questions!
