“Eating plants directly rather than in meat, dairy, eggs, much less of the crop is required to deliver the same amount of protein, without the pollution and pandemics.” The Lancet
Food has three categories: Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fat. All are essential for life. The Whole Food Plant Based Diet contains all three of these as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients also essential for life, without the unnecessary additional fat and cholesterol in the meat and dairy based diet.
Carbohydrates are found in vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, and provide energy for the body. Energy comes from the sun through photosynthesis. Sun light is absorbed by chlorophyll in plants, and converted into energy. This process synthesizes food from carbon dioxide and water and generates oxygen as a by-product.
The so called ‘bad carbs’ refers to processed foods. These are foods in boxes and bags which have been stripped of their protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. These are also called ‘empty calories’ because processed food contains calories, but none of the other necessary nutrients. All food in boxes or bags is processed. Unprocessed food comes from fields and trees.
Protein contains essential amino acids. All essential amino acids are found in plants. There is sufficient protein in vegetables and fruit, especially in the traditional combination of grains and legumes which contains all the essential amino acids. Most animals eat grass and leaves which are rich in energy synthesized from the sun, including horses – one of the world’s fastest animals, and elephants – one of the world’s strongest animals. Animals raised for food including cattle and chickens, eat plants.
Fat is energy storage for a food shortage and only used during food shortage. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by non-plants for cell repairs, and other functions. The human body produces enough of its own cholesterol for these purposes.
Additional fat and cholesterol in the body resulting from consuming meat and dairy clogs arteries causing heart disease; fills cells which cannot accept glucose for energy causing diabetes; and is considered to be responsible for some cancers.
The most healthful diet is the whole food, plant based vegan diet which is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, has little fat, no cholesterol, looks and tastes delicious. Try it!