PLANT-FORWARD DIET FOR A HEALTHY PLANET
Foods improve Besides reducing carbon footprint, plant-based our health by boosting immunity, combating inflammation
This year, the theme for World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 every year, is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’, and aims to direct global attention towards the well-being of Earth and the humans on it, according to World Health Organization. As responsible citizens of the world, we, too, can play a role in this. Did you know that every bite of food we have has a bearing on the resources of Earth? Let’s try and switch to a plant-forward diet to save our planet and indulge in foods that focus on ethical considerations about climate change and animal welfare.
For the uninitiated, a plant-forward diet refers to the style of cooking that prefers foods from plant sources, while plant-based refers to the ingredients themselves. “A plant-forward diet is the practice of suppressing the consumption of animal products, like meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey. This diet is currently quite famous for its health benefits, but following a plant-based diet also has environmental benefits,” says Samiksha Kalra, nutritionist, Madhukar Rainbow Hospital.
In fact, a global shift to plant-based diet could cut mortality and greenhouse gas emissions caused by food production by 10% and 70%, respectively, according to a Lancet report. “Animal products, like meat and dairy, use more resources and cause more pollution than plant-based alternatives,” explains dietician Ashish Rani, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF A PLANTFORWARD DIET
Plant-based foods are known to contain fibre, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients that are beneficial for our body. “They are packed with fibre and phytonutrients that support immunity, combat inflammation, and feed the healthy bacteria in your gut,” says Dr Sanjay Kumar, director and HOD, gastroenterology, QRG Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad. Focusing on whole foods from plant sources reduces body weight, blood pressure and risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. “It can improve cardiovascular health, lower body mass index and reduce risk of developing type II diabetes and heart disease,” says Dr Bharat Kukreti, associate director, Cardiology, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram.
A plant-based diet boosts energy levels and keeps you feeling alert throughout the day.
When you choose a plant-based diet, you choose strong nails, shiny hair, and glowing skin, thanks to vitamins A and E in fruits and vegetables.
MORE VARIETY WITH UNCONVENTIONAL FOOD PLANTS
Unconventional food plants (UFPs) have emerged as a potential supply to the food chain, as they can be used to improve the quality of nutrition of the population in developing countries.
White acacia, jatropha, bamboo and edible flowers, among others, are considered UFPs. These offer interesting nutritional components such as fibres, proteins, phenolic compounds and carotenoids, and also present greater variety for the palate.
Kalra adds, “Some protein sources from vegetables like legumes (soybeans, peas, beans, chickpeas) cereals (rice, wheat, corn) and seeds (chia, flaxseed, sesame) have been widely studied. Among these, soy, wheat and rice are the most consolidated sources to be used in distinct food formulations, allowing the development of innovative products with high added value.”
Such plant-based protein sources have been used in supplements, baked goods, and many other products to exploit their nutritional value and techno-functional properties.