I just cooked a big batch of bison chili for last night’s superbowl. I also cooked a big batch of vegetarian chilli. When I was 16yrs old I stopped eating meat and poultry. It had nothing to do with saving the planet, animal rights or for religious reasons. It was a conscious choice- I just didn’t like the texture or the way it tasted.
As a young adult, I wasn’t thinkng ahead. I was not thinking that the choice I was making would have an impact on my life ahead and unknowingly direct me in the path I have taken. As I have studied and learned much in my young almost 55 yrs, I have come to understand that eating a diet rich in plant based foods has a number of positive health benefits.
The phrase “you are what you eat” has less to do with body size and structure and more to do with your mental health, mood and temperment. There’s no shortage of research being done on the mood-boosting and mental health effects associated with the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based fuel. It has been said that when one eats a more plant based diet, levels of anxiety, stress and depression are all lessened.
Whether or not you choose to give up meat entirely or just add more fruits, vegetables and fiber into your diet, it is important that you have a well balanced diet.
Omega 3s essential fatty acids are in enhancing cognitive, cardiovascular and joint health: can be found in foods such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seed, and walnuts.
The amino acid tryptophan- the brain uses tryptophan to produce serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter. Plant based sources include leafy greens, sunflower seeds, watercress, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, broccoli and peas.
B Vitamins- these include beans, legumes and lentils, fortified cereals and sunflower seeds.
There is no one particular diet/eating plan that is right for everyone. I am not encouraging or discouraging you to go plant based. There are many reasons for our plant and economic growth, development and our livelihood that we need animals. I am providing you with some of the highlights of why a plant based diet is good for your health. And for more information, I encourage you to talk to your medical doctors. And as always, if I I can be a resource for your mental health, please feel free to contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com