Why Plant-Based?

Firstly, is there a difference between plant-based and vegan?

'Plant-based' can be any dietary pattern where most or all of the energy and nutrients come from whole plant foods.

A 'vegan' diet describes what is NOT eaten. Vegans eat no animal foods, and therefore no meat, dairy, fish, eggs or honey.

With many more highly processed vegan options now on the market, a vegan diet doesn't always mean a healthy diet.

I take a whole foods approach to a vegan diet.

This includes whole grains, beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. Even if you aren't vegan, increasing your whole plant foods will have benefits to your health.

It is important to recognise that the term 'vegan' goes beyond what you choose to eat. The Vegan Society states:

"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

There are many fantastic reasons why a whole foods vegan diet can be a wonderful way to eat,

so let’s delve into the reasons I am so passionate about plants!

Animal agriculture is a major cause and driver of climate change, land use, water depletion, river, lake and sea pollution, eutrophication, forest destruction, habitat loss and species extinction.

Livestock farming produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all global transport combined.

Choosing plant-based foods over animal foods will greatly reduce your impact on our beautiful natural world. Read more about it here.

As Earth’s population increases, so too does the risk for starvation, water scarcity and environmental disasters in vulnerable areas of the world.

Feeding the world equalling and sustainably is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. A vegan diet requires less land, fewer resources and produces less waste, helping to support a more sustainable food system for everyone. 

There is also a hidden human cost to animal food production, with the mental health of slaughterhouse workers under extreme pressure due to consistent exposure to extreme violence.