Are plant-based foods good for the body?
When I was a kid, my mom would tell me that if I ate healthy and exercised, then I could eat anything. As an adult, this statement makes total sense. If you exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals throughout the day, then you'll naturally look better than someone who doesn't follow those rules at all! But what if there were something else that could help make up for your lack of exercise? That's right: plants and superfoods!
- Daminda Ralalage, founder of GaiaTribe Co
"the right food and right lifestyle create the perfect recipe for a healthy, happy life."
It depends on the kind of plant-based foods you eat.
If you're thinking about switching to a plant-based diet, it's important to understand what you're getting into. Plant-based foods can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on their composition and how much you eat of them.
If your diet is low in fat and high in fiber, then switching over to a plant-based diet might be beneficial for your health. But if your food intake is already balanced with plenty of fruits, vegetables, superfoods and whole grains--then adding more plants may not help things improve any more than they already are!
Regardless of your goal adding superfoods into your diet can definitely enhance your health and well-being.
They're not all created equal.
While it's tempting to think of all plant-based foods as the same, they're not. For example:
Some are healthier than others. For example, while nuts and seeds have been linked with lower cholesterol levels and heart disease prevention, they contain polyunsaturated fats that can be harmful over time. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants may help protect your body from free radicals--the by products created when cells burn fuel at a high rate or are injured by stress (like exercise).
"The type of fat matters too."
The type of fat matters too. Saturated fats are bad for your body and can increase inflammation, which is linked to a host of health problems like heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. Monounsaturated fats are heart-healthy because they have less impact on blood cholesterol levels than saturated or polyunsaturated fats do--though they're still pretty high in calories. Trans fats should be avoided at all costs because they don't provide any nutritional benefit over other types of fats (and can actually be worse for you overall).
Some plant-based foods are healthier than others.
Some plant-based foods are healthier than others. Plant-based foods with a high fiber content, vitamins and minerals tend to be more nutritious. Also, certain types of protein can benefit the body in different ways--for example, soybean isoflavones may improve bone health while quinoa contains iron that's easier for the body to absorb than meat.
Some sources of fat are good for your health: olive oil has omega-3 fatty acids (which reduce inflammation), almond butter has monounsaturated fats (which help lower cholesterol levels) and coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT).
Conclusion
So, the answer is yes. In fact, plant-based foods can be very good for your body in many different ways. They are high in nutrients and low in fat, which makes them great for weight loss. You can also find plenty of healthy protein options that don’t come from animals or animals raised with antibiotics like these do (and what we eat may influence how well we fight infections).
If you're too busy to meal prep or feel like you're missing out on getting healthy superfoods and plant proteins into your diet, try adding 1 GaiaMeal per day.
It's a simple way to get all your superfoods and healthy nutrients without wasting time. And GaiaMeal is so good, you may just forget it's even in your body. Perfect for busy lives.
Click here to UNLOCK your VIP gift worth over £650...
#Gaiameal is your answer to a busy life. Your go-to healthy superblend for everything from breakfast to dinner, lunch, and even snacks.
"Make a healthy choice every day by adding whole foods to your meals. It's easy and delicious! and GaiaMeal makes it super easy"