Do humans need to eat animals to be healthy?

We live in a for-profit food culture that makes nutrition confusing. Every day, we're exposed to countless fad diets, fast-food advertisements, influencer endorsements, industry-funded studies, and personal anecdotes. Our own government contributes to the confusion by promoting the products it subsidizes, even when they make 68% of the population sick (ahem, dairy).

Given the conflicting information we’re inundated with, it can be surprising to learn that the scientific community shares a singular point of view: plant-predominant diets are best for human health.

In the United States today, the leading causes of sickness and death are related to lifestyle rather than genetics. The food we eat is often the most significant contributor.

Why is a vegan diet so protective? When we consume plants instead of animals, we reduce our intake of saturated fat while increasing our intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These plant properties contribute to a sense of fullness, promote digestive health, and strengthen our immune system.

Of course, not all plant-based foods are healthy. Just as omnivores can compromise their health with steak and pizza, vegans can compromise their health with french fries and Oreos.

To get the maximum health benefits from a plant-based diet, consider this evidence-based dietary pattern:

• Emphasize plant protein over animal protein. Replace meat with high-protein plant foods like lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, seitan, whole grains, and nuts.

• Emphasize whole grains over refined grains. Replace white bread, pasta, and rice with whole grains like whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, farrow, and root vegetables.

• Emphasize plant fats over animal fats. Replace animal-derived fats, such as meat, butter, and cheese, with plant-derived fats like olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts.

• Eat a diversity of plants. Consume a variety of plant foods every week, including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and herbs.

• Drink water for thirst. Replace milk, soda, juice, and sugar-sweetened beverages with water.

• Minimize sweet, salty, and fatty food. Limit consumption of meat and junk foods to less than 15% of the diet.

If you're willing to give plant-based eating a try but are not sure where to start, we'd love to help you! Simply email us, and we'll share some recipes and tips with you.

By making small changes in your daily life, you can reduce your risk of sickness and premature death, ultimately enabling you to spend more healthy years doing the things you love with the people you love.

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References

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Definition & Facts for Lactose Intolerance

• National Institute of Health: Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets

• American Heart Association: The Power of Plant-Based Eating

• American Cancer Society: Does the American Cancer Society Promote Meat?

• American Diabetes Association: Vegetarian Diets in the Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Its Complications

• World Health Organization: Plant-based diets and their impact on health, sustainability and the environment

• American Diabetes Association: Vegan Meal Planning: Vegan and Vegetarian Meal Planning for Diabetes and Kidney Disease

• Dietary intake of total, animal, and plant proteins and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

• Maximizing the intersection of human health and the health of the environment with regard to the amount and type of protein produced and consumed in the United States

• "The Proof is in the Plants" by Simon Hill

Medical disclaimer

The information found on gigharboranimalsanctuary.com or any of its media platforms is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Any statements made on these platforms are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult with your medical practitioner before making any changes to your current diet and lifestyle.