we need to eat more plants
We can all agree we need to eat more plants ? ⠀
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Love this post by my good friend Tyler aka @functional.foods. He breaks down the reason why plants are so important to a healthy diet below:⠀
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Plants contain fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and polyphenols which are essential for optimal health.⠀
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Phytochemicals are exclusively found in plants and can be thought of as these biologically active compounds of the plants immune system which give fruits and vegetables their bright color.⠀
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The more phytochemicals we consume, the better our body is able to combat oxidative stress, reduce stress induced apoptosis, decrease inflammation, and protect the gut.⠀
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As you can see, all four of these meal have a few main things in common: ⠀
1️⃣ Lots of vegetables⠀
2️⃣ An abundance of diverse color⠀
3️⃣ Animal protein is more of a condiment and makes up <20% of the meal⠀
4️⃣ Comprised of whole foods and minimally processed⠀
5️⃣ Nutrient-dense⠀
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All these meals happen to be based on an anti-inflammatory template as well which exclude common allergenic and inflammatory foods: corn, soy, dairy, gluten, shellfish, peanuts, refined sugar, and nightshades.⠀
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When it comes to food, many people seem to have a strong alliance to a particular diet/lifestyle trend. Either you’re a dedicated vegan, a devoted vegetarian, a staunch paleo lover, or on the keto craze.⠀
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We are all unique individuals, and therefore, have different goals and needs. What works for you may not work for me. Just like what works for me may not work for you.⠀
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While I do lean more towards a plant-based template and encourage a whole food, plant-heavy diet, I am by no means a strict vegan, nor am I a vegetarian, or strict paleo.⠀
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While I don’t eat meat everyday, I have found that my body is more balanced when I include some high quality animal protein compared to when I was strict vegan.⠀
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Just a friendly reminder that plant heavy diets are not exclusive to vegans or vegetarian ?
