The next time you consider your next meal (whether you are eating out or cooking at home), try substituting chicken for tofu chicken or beef for a tofu-based beef alternative. Why? There are lots of reasons--smaller carbon footprint, compassion for animals, but most importantly for your health and longevity.
This is likely not the first time you've heard this suggestion. But it's hard to ignore the suggestion particularly when the results from two new studies spanning 30 years and more than 130,000 participants deliver stark results. "Substitution of plant protein for animal protein, especially that from processed red meat, was associated with lower mortality, suggesting the importance of protein source," the studies published in the JAMA Internal Medicine said.
Researchers found that high animal protein intake was positively associated with cardiovascular mortality while high plant protein intake was inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality. Check out this two minute video for highlights of the studies.
I'm not saying you should become a vegetarian or vegan overnight, but try to be more mindful about what you put into your body. Maybe it's time to make a lifestyle and diet shift. You can still get the appropriate amount of protein intake each day without consuming animal-based protein. You just need to be creative about it. I provide some ideas in this short post about where to get protein if you aren't consuming animals.
I'm not the only individual who has been replacing animal protein with plant protein. Sales of meat substitutes have increased 42 percent in the last six years to an estimated $4 billion annually, according to a recent survey. That's incredible! The consumer demand for meat substitutes is growing and slowly edging into more grocery store aisles and onto menus. I continue to be impressed at the amount of vegan food options available in restaurants that don't market themselves as vegan-friendly. But better still, I continue to be impressed with the variety of plant-based food options on menus--moving beyond the microwaved veggie patties for the most part.
It should come as no surprise that earlier this month Tyson Foods, one of the country's leading meat producers, has taken a five percent ownership stake in plant-based protein producer Beyond Meat. A smart move in my opinion. Plant-based protein is the way to a healthier and longer life. So for your next meal, think about switching it up.
This is likely not the first time you've heard this suggestion. But it's hard to ignore the suggestion particularly when the results from two new studies spanning 30 years and more than 130,000 participants deliver stark results. "Substitution of plant protein for animal protein, especially that from processed red meat, was associated with lower mortality, suggesting the importance of protein source," the studies published in the JAMA Internal Medicine said.
Researchers found that high animal protein intake was positively associated with cardiovascular mortality while high plant protein intake was inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality. Check out this two minute video for highlights of the studies.
I'm not saying you should become a vegetarian or vegan overnight, but try to be more mindful about what you put into your body. Maybe it's time to make a lifestyle and diet shift. You can still get the appropriate amount of protein intake each day without consuming animal-based protein. You just need to be creative about it. I provide some ideas in this short post about where to get protein if you aren't consuming animals.
I'm not the only individual who has been replacing animal protein with plant protein. Sales of meat substitutes have increased 42 percent in the last six years to an estimated $4 billion annually, according to a recent survey. That's incredible! The consumer demand for meat substitutes is growing and slowly edging into more grocery store aisles and onto menus. I continue to be impressed at the amount of vegan food options available in restaurants that don't market themselves as vegan-friendly. But better still, I continue to be impressed with the variety of plant-based food options on menus--moving beyond the microwaved veggie patties for the most part.
It should come as no surprise that earlier this month Tyson Foods, one of the country's leading meat producers, has taken a five percent ownership stake in plant-based protein producer Beyond Meat. A smart move in my opinion. Plant-based protein is the way to a healthier and longer life. So for your next meal, think about switching it up.
