Plant Powered, Plant Forward

Did you know the single-most impactful way to reduce your diet’s environmental footprint is through plant-forward eating? Plant-based protein sources require significantly less water, land, and energy to produce than the equivalent amount of almost all animal-based proteins. Reducing your consumption of just a few animal-based ingredients, such as beef or lamb, throughout the week and substituting them with protein-rich plant alternatives can dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with your food.

Decreasing meat in your diet and increasing plant-based foods does not mean you’ll be removing protein from your diet. There are plenty of other foods that contain high amounts of protein! These include soy-based products (i.e. tofu, edamame, tempeh), quinoa, beans, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Vegetables and grains can also increase your protein intake. You can definitely get enough protein in your diet when you reduce your meat intake.

However, make sure not to replace meat with processed meat substitutes. Following a “French fry and plant-based hamburger” diet will not lead to a healthy lifestyle. The key is to replace the amount of meat you are reducing for nutrient dense foods such as vegetables, grains, seeds, fruits, nuts, legumes, and beans. Have questions about following a plant-forward lifestyle? You can e-mail our Dining Services Registered Dietitian at AskAdietitian@carleton.ca!