Why a Plant-Based Diet May Be Better


Photo Courtesy: I heart naptime.com

A basic food platter filled with healthy food options a more plant-based diet would have.

Claire Koltura, Photojournalist

All around the country, humans gather to feast for their three meals a day to achieve a certain amount of calories, get rid of starvation, or even to eat a regular meal. Anyone of these choices has a particular diet, whether one knows it or not. A few diets people look into are the all-time favorite carnivore diet, pescetarian diet, vegetarian diet, keto diet, or even a vegan diet. These are the most popular diets that can last long in an individual’s food plan. Nevertheless, incorporating these diets into being more plant-based can influence a healthy lifestyle, more motivation, and a way that might save our planet Earth.

Circling the globe, different countries incorporate a more plant-based diet because of their lifestyles. As a result, these people usually end up living longer, stronger lives. In America, our obesity rate is the highest in the world, and our meat intake increases steadily with more pollution going into the air, with fast-food around every corner. The ideal body image surfaces around our country of what is healthy or not. No matter what the size may be, the thing that sets in place is diet. Many people criticize the individuals who follow a plant-based diet because they think meat is better or look at as “why” make the change.  In reality, plant-based can be a cheaper alternative and in some way, help the environment. Many people who go on this diet realize their soul purpose to eat plant-based.

A trainer, Jennifer Hendricks, at the Yorba Linda Fit Body Boot Camp went on an all plant-based diet for eight years until she realized that she needed a little more protein to achieve her fitness goals. Occasionally, when she is not sick and tired of tofu, she will eat fish at restaurants or a few times a month. Jenifer Hendricks says the biggest misconceptions of a plant-based diet are that “you do not get enough protein and vitamins and minerals eating plant-based, and you cannot gain muscle without eating meat and dairy.” For protein choices, Jenifer said, “There are different protein choices. Seiten is a plant-based protein derived from wheat gluten; meat, such as beef, pork, chicken and turkey, in an animal-based, high protein food.” This source of protein is equivalent to the taste of chicken. Even when working out with a more plant-based diet, Jennifer states one crucial fact. “People should be mindful of what they put into their body when it comes to replenishment, such as after a workout. Protein and carbohydrates are both important to include post-workout and ideally should be consumed within an hour.”

Around Yorba Linda, many other locals have a more plant-based diet for their day to day life. Lisa Henry is a Spartan runner who takes plant-based nutrition very seriously. One of her favorite foods to eat is chia pudding, which gives her a quick protein, fiber, and energy for her day. As a Spartan racer, a race that incorporates running and workout challenges, she says that “the plant-based diet works best for [her] because [she] eats more food which gives [her] the nutrition and food she needs to evolve [her] training.” Paraphrasing her own words, she also proclaims the balance of plants also helps aging and digestion.

A student Leila Shook (11) , a runner on the Yorba Linda High School Cross Country, has been on a plant-based diet with the exception of fish for the majority of her life. As Leila told The Wrangler, “Not only is my plant-based diet better for your health, it also helps the environment.” With the world constantly changing, Leila does have a concern for the environment in the future. “Researchers found that food production is responsible for up to 30 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, with animal products accounting for the vast majority—about three-quarters—of these effects.” The report states that projections for the future show that “vegan and vegetarian diets were associated with the greatest reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions” (pcrm.org). While the plant-based comers of the future come out their voices, food choices will impact our environment, and Leila is just one person helping the cause.

The incorporation of more plant-based diets for health benefits can create a better balance in people’s lives. Whether or not the change is worth the influence of eating more plants into the diet, research on the health concerns slowly influence the world on moving towards a more plant-based diet. While others may think not the decision for healthier lifestyle choices all revolves around the individual. Taking on the challenge of a more plant-based diet can lead to individuality, faster digestion, and a healthier lifestyle.