Eat a Plant-Based Diet

Summary: By eating a plant-based diet, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the necessary resources we depend on like land and water.

Description

Changing our diet is good for the planet. Whether choosing to eat vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diets, you can have a critical impact on our climate. Scientists warn that the current system of production and consumption cannot be sustained, with livestock producing about 14.5% of the world's greenhouse gases each year. 

By eating a plant-based diet, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the necessary resources we depend on like land and water. Even with little financial investment and going at your own pace, eating less meat and dairy can have a big impact on the climate. By using methods like “Meatless Mondays,” starting with less beef, or switching to dairy alternatives, you can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you contribute to the environment.

For more information on plant-based diets, click “Steps To Take” and “Deep Dive” on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

What’s the difference between vegetarian and vegan? 

Vegetarian is a broader term for excluding animal products from your diet. Vegetarians do not eat meat but will eat eggs and dairy. Vegan enthusiasts have an issue with eating animal and animal-derived products usually for ethical reasons. A vegan diet strictly avoids any food that contains animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. Plant-based, whole-food enthusiasts have a problem with highly processed foods which impact your health.

What are good plant-based protein sources?   

As you increase the number of plant-based meals you eat, it’s a good idea to include plant-based recipes with protein. Lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and edamame, and seitan are all good sources of protein. 

Resources

There are a growing number of cookbooks featuring plant-based cooking. A recent entry is Terry Walter’s Nourish with 200 plant-based and gut-healthy recipes seasonally organized. 

Steps to Take

1. Assess how your diet affects the climate by reviewing the Environmental Working Group’s impact breakdown.
2. Wean off your meat consumption by reducing your beef intake. Try to move down EWG’s list of foods with the highest impacts. (Lamb, cheese, and pork also rank high on impact!)
3. Commit to going plant-based once or more times a week. 
4. Keep your pantry stocked with ‘go to’ fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, grains and other snacks and recipes.
5. Once you become familiar with meatless recipes, try adding vegan recipes into your repertoire as well. Dairy is another food category with a big environmental footprint to avoid.
6. Spread the word and get support from others who are reducing their meat consumption and eating lower on the food chain.