Is A Plant-Based Diet Healthier? Experts Weigh In

There is enough evidence to suggest that people who are on a plant-based diet do not suffer as much from chronic diseases and enjoy longer lives. However, Natalie Parletta, a nutritionist, wants to stress that it is essential to eat a well-balanced diet that has a variety of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and Omega-3. Get fiber and nutrients from legumes, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Aside from having a much healthier body, going vegetarian or vegan also helps reduce our carbon footprint on the planet so it is a win-win situation for everyone.

Doctors also attest to the fact that people who are on a plant-based diet have lower rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. There is also news that a vegetarian Mediterranean diet can help people cope with depression, although there are no concrete facts to back this claim up, yet. Although shifting from a meat-based diet to a plant-based diet is no walk in the park, it can be done and the decrease of lifestyle diseases should be motivation enough.

Dieticians also believe that a plant-based diet is healthier than a meat-based diet as long as the vegetarian food consumed is of good quality. Eating red and processed meats increase the risk of colorectal cancer, which is among the top three killer cancers in the world. Today, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives readily available in the market. We now enjoy vegetarian burger patties, vegetarian turkey, and vegetarian cheese, among many other things. There is simply no excuse not to go vegetarian. These alternatives are lower in fat and have higher amounts of fiber.