Eating More Plants Can Save The Planet. Here's How You Can Start!

We pooled the resources you need to get yourself started on a plant-based diet!

Kate Paras-Santiago

January 20, 2020, 12:29 PM

It's easy to feel helpless these days—getting bombarded by news of natural calamities from different parts of the world surely makes us feel as if the world is ending. But truth is, as times change and as the planet becomes sicker, we are called to live more mindful lives—those that make conscious choices to ensure that we help in the healing, and not the destruction of the planet we call home.

While we can sit around and feel sorry for ourselves and just wait for the next disaster to strike, we say take positive action and be part of the crowd that actually does something to solve the problem.

Reusable straws, eco bags, and refillable water bottles may be a good start towards a sustainable lifestyle, but if we truly want to empower our choices to create positive change for the environment, then maybe we should also start to consider how we eat. We do it thrice, even more times a day, we spend a huge chunk of our money on it, and our health and wellbeing depends on it.

Perhaps it's time to go plant-based. | Photo by Sylvie Tittel on Unsplash

Yes, eating meat can still be part of a healthy, balanced diet, but in today's society where humanity has become meat-obsessed (unlimited barbecue, anyone?), the demand has gone way past 'healthy' and 'balanced'. The 'meat as a treat' no longer applies for a lot of societies, and having steak any time of day at any day of the week has become the norm for some.

According to Greenpeace, "But with a rising global middle class, societies are becoming meat obsessed. Nowhere else is this more prevalent than rich nations whose appetite for beef, pork and processed chicken have reached a tipping point."

We don't even need more reasons to convince us that with increased meat intake follows the rise of disease too. Greenpeace further reiterates that "The research is clear—a diet heavy in meat increases the risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease."

Along with the increased intake of meat are the increased greenhouse gasses being emitted from cattle farming. In addition, Greenpeace states that "The livestock sector — raising cows, pigs and chickens — generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, trucks and automobiles combined. Cattle ranchers have clear cut millions of square kilometers of forests for grazing pastures, decimating natural “carbon sinks.”

How then can we help on our level? By choosing what we put on our plates.

Plant-based need not be boring! | Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Enter plant-based eating. We've had a series of stories that talk about the benefits of this kind of diet, including how it impacts health and wellbeing, the types of plant-based diets out there, and how a revolutionary documentary shows elite athletes performing better as they eat more plants.

In this feature, we give you the resources you need to get started, and get educated on what a plant-based diet should be. After all, true power lies in the knowledge you gain. Read up, get informed, and be one in the solution to saving the planet, one plate at a time!