The Rise of Plant-Based Diets:A New Era of Conscious Eating?

Introduction

I am going to touch on a debatable topic and many of you may not agree but let's do it anyway. It has been almost 2 years since my relationship with non-vegetarian food went sour(it used to be tasty)I, have had my share of struggles and challenges—no one to blame for my own choice. But the level of satisfaction I get out of all my efforts balances it out. But I do get this question "But, Why"?

"But Why"? If you grow up in an atmosphere where only a plant-based diet is allowed. Then "But Why" has a simple answer. You can call it family beliefs or religious reasons. But when you switch sides and adopt a plant-based diet that makes people wonder "Why". Some are curious, some are judgmental and believe that I am missing out on various delicacies of life. I was even told by a friend that she would only be a partner with someone open to eating just anything(Between you and me - It kind of broke my heart because I admired her). At that moment I realized that I am not only limiting my food options but it would impact my social circle too. I don't get invited if my crew is going to a seafood restaurant. But, fair enough, right?? (Fun Fact -for my mental satisfaction about not eating seafood I watch a documentary on Netflix called -"Seaspiracy")

However, it's not just me. There is a significant rise in the number of people, especially in Western countries who are opting to thrive on plant plant-based diet. People are becoming more aware of plant-based diets, yoga, meditation and other wellness practices. The trend is driven by several factors, including health benefits, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations. The rise of documentaries, social media influencers, and increased availability of plant-based products has also contributed to the shift.

Let's try to touch base on the benefits, challenges and solutions of transitioning to a plant-based diet. One more reason to write on this topic is a significant one. Next time if someone asks me "But why", I can send them a link to this article and save my energy to waste on something else. Let's end it once and for all.

Benefits: Why it's worth it

Dietary benefits:

I don't want to bore you with the facts like adopting a plant-based diet has numerous health benefits, by reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Everyone knows these facts and people still prefer to eat non-vegetarian food. Now, I am not saying that vegetarians don't die or don't fall sick. However, individuals who follow plant-based diets have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes etc as compared to people who eat meat regularly.

Environmental Impact:

We all are working hard and trying to impact and leave our footprints in our respective spheres. Similarly, we all are individually leaving our footprints on the environment. These footprints are called "Carbon Footprints". In simple words, how big of a role are we playing in depleting the environment? It's up to us if we are considerate enough to preserve put environment. If you are a mean and selfish person then this point or maybe the whole article is garbage for you.

If you are thinking about how non-vegetarian food is related to the environment then l don't mind typing and writing an extra paragraph to give a clearer picture. Do you think they just catch the animals, kill them and serve them to you?? No, it's a very well-organized industry called Animal farming or Factory farming. In these big factory farms, they raise these animals. The need for grazing land and feed crop cultivation results in significant deforestation. When I was researching for this article I found out that livestock farming is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

On the contrary, The production of plant-based foods requires fewer resources compared to animal agriculture. Let me give you an example, producing one kilogram of beef necessitates approximately 15,000 litres of water, whereas the same amount of lentils requires only 1,250 litres. This evident contrast shows how the conservation of water resources is directly related to your dietary choices.

Now, Do you see the direct link between meat consumption and environmental degradation? It's your Carbon Footprint.

Ethical Considerations:

In my personal opinion, this seems to be the primary reason that people around the world are shifting their loyalties. Many individuals are turning to vegan or vegetarian diets due to compelling environmental and ethical considerations. People just see the meat kept at grocery stores, nicely packed at a freezing temperature. But do you know how those chickens were kept at the farms??

Factory farming practices involve overcrowded and inhumane conditions. The animals suffer at those farms before being cut and served to us. Imagine a chicken in a small tray with 100 others, where it is fed minimally or injected with antibiotics to get more flesh out of it. What do you think those antibiotics have an impact on the human body after we consume them? No wonder, every 3rd person says that they have anxiety. Even the shampoos and creams are tested on animals.

Ethically, the inhumane treatment of animals is a fundamental consideration for many who choose vegan or vegetarian diets. The growing awareness of these environmental and ethical issues has led to a significant increase in the number of individuals adopting vegan or vegetarian lifestyles as a means of aligning their dietary habits with their values. My friends, considering the sentience and suffering of animals, make ethical dietary choices.

Simple health benefits:

Not making it too complicated, but it's good to give some breaks and go easy on your digestive system. The plant-based diet is highly fibrous and digests way faster than non-vegetarian food. It's just like using a grinder in your house. The more hard and heavy the object is more harder it is to grind. If you put more hard items in your grinder daily, there will be more wear and tear and a high chance of it breaking down. Go easy on your intestines for them to last longer for you.

Personal anecdotes further underscore these benefits. Many individuals report substantial health improvements upon switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet, including increased energy levels, better digestion, and weight management

Be logical:

Any living organism, be it a dog, chicken or a human, we are bound to get sick from time to time in our lifetime. But do you think all the animals that we consume are healthy? Is it possible that none of them had a disease before it was cut and served to you? I am quite sure they do not take these animals to Lifelabs for blood work before they are diced and sliced. Then what's the guarantee that the beef you ate was giving you the desired nutrients? The choice is yours.

Challenges: Why it's hard

Social pressures:

Adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet often comes with a unique set of challenges that can be daunting for newcomers. One major hurdle is dealing with social pressures. Family gatherings, social events, and even casual outings can become tricky when your dietary choices differ from the norm. It can be challenging when plant-based options are limited or misunderstood by others. Mostly, I am short on options at a party and I end up returning home hungry and eating Maggi noodles after.

A key strategy to handle this is open communication. Letting friends and family know about your dietary preferences ahead of time can pave the way for understanding and accommodation. Moreover, offering to bring a plant-based dish to share can introduce others to delicious vegan or vegetarian options. However, it's highly unlikely that they will like it.

Nutritional Balance:

Nutritional concerns also pose a significant challenge. I am often asked what I eat to maintain my balance. Well, I grew up eating lentils every single day of my life. A yellow daal (Lentils) with lots of spinach in it doesn't hurt me. Ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12 is crucial. A balanced meal plan that includes a variety of plant-based foods can help meet these nutritional needs. Consulting with a registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance and alleviate any nutritional worries. However, it adds to your expenses and takes lots of time and effort which is challenging.

Cravings and Adjustments :

No doubt, it is extremely hard to transition to a plant-based diet. Especially for someone who has enjoyed non-vegetarian dishes from all around the world. Those cravings test you. Then you start doubting your decision to choose the new lifestyle. But that will be your litmus test. Remember why you started in the first place. However, I recommend starting it gradually. Give yourself a period of adjustment. I do not want you to inspire so much that you stop eating non-vegetarian after reading the conclusion. You will most likely faint at work if you do this. Give yourself a notice period.

Availability and Access:

I am not sure which corner of the world are you reading it from. However, the availability and access are going to pose a challenge if you plan to switch to a plant-based diet. Depending on where you live, finding a variety of plant-based foods, especially fresh produce can be very challenging and sometimes more expensive. My Korean friend suggested I accustom myself to non-vegetarian food if I wish to travel to Asia in future. I told him that I would survive on Kim-chi. Jokes apart, I know it's going to be challenging, but, bring it on.

Cooking Skills:

If you plan to adopt plant plant-based diet then I recommend you to subscribe to some cooking YouTube channels. You might get bored of eating the same things again and again and you will have to learn new cooking techniques and recipes. It is going to be time-consuming and require a steep learning curve. The dishes often turn out to be not as good as the chef told on YouTube and you will end up being frustrated and hungry at the same time. At that point, your mind will again try to trick you into eating that frozen bacon pizza lying on your roommate's side of the partition in the freezer.

Misconceptions and Realities:

Misconception: Plants-based diets don't provide enough protein.

Reality: Many plant-based foods are rich in protein including beans, lentils, tofu, quinoa, and chickpeas. It's possible to meet protein needs with a well-planned plant-based diet.

Misconception: Eating plant-based is expensive and inconvenient.

Reality: Plant-based staples like beans, rice, vegetables, and fruits are often cheaper than meat and dairy. Planning meals and buying in bulk can make plant-based eating both affordable and convenient.

Misconception: Plant-based diets are Tasteless and Unsatisfying.

Reality: Plant-based diets can be incredibly flavorful and satisfying, There are numerous recipes and cooking techniques that enhance the flavours of plant-based foods, making them delicious and varied.

Misconception: A plant-based diet is only for vegetarians and vegans.

Reality: Anyone can incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet, regardless of whether they choose to be fully vegetarian or vegan

The story that changed me:

A couple of years ago I got an opportunity to teach a kid who was pursuing an associate degree of arts from a Canadian college. The subject I was supposed to teach was "Geography of Food". I assumed it to be an easy one as I know a bit about world geography. But contrary to my expectations I found out that I barely know anything about the Geography of food. For instance, I did not know that there are over 5000 varieties of potatoes. Similarly, I did not know that even if a product is organic, still there are a certain amount of pesticides and chemicals allowed to enhance the produce. One day we moved on to a chapter that told about the concept of Factory Farming. I got to know under what circumstances the animals are raised and what kind of antibiotics are used on them to get more profits, etc. But there was a story in the curriculum that shook me.

There was a huge Factory farm in a state of the US. The farm produced tonnes of meat and catered to all of North America. The farm was so huge that it employed thousands of people. The duties like cleaning the grinders, running the assembly line, packaging, transporting etc were all done by the employees. On one usual day, tonnes of meat was thrown in a giant grinder to chop it into small pieces. They had people walking around the grinder to ensure the smooth operation of the grinder. Suddenly, a person walking around the well-shaped grinder slipped and fell into the grinder. His bones were crushed within seconds and his flesh got mixed with the rest of the meat. The company did not want to throw away the tonnes of meat and that person's meat got served with the rest of the meat all around North America.

After this, I became a "Flexitarian".I did not stop eating non-vegetarian right away. I started eating plant-based items while allowing some animal products. But this was the time when I started thinking and doubting anything non-vegetarian that was served to me. I am glad that I read that story.

Conclusion:

As I mentioned at the very beginning, it is a very debatable topic and many of you won't agree. If I give the argument to my friends that our bodies are not designed to eat meat. Our jaws and teeth do not move the way it does for carnivore animals. Then, I get the reasoning, Our ancestors lived in caves and were carnivores. Why did they eat meat?? One answer could be that the historical consumption of meat was driven by survival needs, but it doesn't imply a strict dietary design.

However, we live in a different world now. We have a tough life coming ahead with all the changes in the world and the environment. The competitive nature of life brings forward many physical and most importantly, mental challenges. I believe food contributes a lot to our mental well-being. In light of the health benefits, it is clear why many people are making the switch to a plant-based diet lifestyle, seeking to improve their well-being through dietary choices. It's time to make better choices.