Why Go Plant-Based? The Reasons Are Interconnected

You might have noticed that over the last two years or since, vegetarianism and especially the plant-based diet has become unusually “cool.” Nowadays, there are more options for vegetarians in restaurant menus, rather as opposed to “salad” or “garden burger.” 100 100% plant-based restaurants such as those of the Native Foods Cafe chain re increasing in popularity with vegetarians and omnivores alike. The public seems to be looking for something different from the potatoes and meat that have been the commonplace on American tables from the very beginning of our time.

What is the reason for this at this point? It could be the result of a variety of problems arising. Obesity is a major problem and is accompanied by heart disease, diabetes, and numerous other health issues that stem from lifestyle. The majority of us are spending most of our days and evenings seated in the computer at work or watching television at home. Many restaurants, and even our own kitchens are brimming with high-fat, high-sodium and large portions of high-cholesterol food which only give immediate pleasure and cause permanent harm. In short, our lives are becoming increasingly unhealthy, and we are aware that we need to be proactive about it.

We’re now here, you and me–reading a piece about the importance of change and simplicities. The concept of vegetarianism, as well as veganism, are not new. It has been practiced by people of this way of life throughout history. their motivations vary however they all boil down to a handful of simple categories. Let’s have a look.

Religious tradition

A variety of world religions advocate the vegetarian diet, based on the notion that killing to eat when other choices are available is morally unjust or based on the notion the belief that spiritually accountable for our bodies. Since the practice of factory farming is becoming commonplace, the prevalence of disease-ridden meat products as well as concerns about animal welfare highlight the need to stay away from products made from animals based on these religious beliefs. The principle in Buddhism is to never kill any living thing. Hence it is not surprising that many Buddhists are vegetarians. A lot of Hindus are also vegetarians. The most important aspects of Hinduism include karma and reincarnation as well as Hindus consider that souls of all kinds, at death, will be reborn as a different animal or person. In order to honor these souls, a lot of Hindus adhere to a vegetarian diet.

The Jain religion is akin to these concepts of karma, reincarnation and non-violence, but it is unique in the sense the fact that vegetarianism is a requirement by all of its adherents. The Jewish religion is also linked to vegetarianism, from early groups like the Essenes to the modern Jews. Many people base their vegetarianism upon being aware that very first diet prescribed by God was a vegetarian diet:

“God also said, ‘I give you all plants that bear seed everywhere on earth, and every tree bearing fruit which yields seed: they shall be yours for food.'”

In the past, Christians have also practiced vegetarianism. Christianity has taught compassion and a respect for life. However, the brutality observed in the modern day factory farms can be difficult to reconcile with the morals. The Bible also requires Christians to be mindful of their body. For instance, 1 Corinthians declares that our bodies are “the temple of God,” and Christians interpret this as a plea for moderate our lifestyle and diet. Being aware of the harmful adverse effects of animal-based food particularly as advancements in the fields of ecology, nutrition, and agriculture shed more light, Christian principles favor a diet that is based on plants.

Nonviolence in all aspects of life

Nonviolence in all forms of life is a notion that has been a staple of numerous cultures. The 13th century was the time of nonviolence.

“If you have any men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”

Isn’t it striking? It strikes at the core of what we’re in our human nature. Can we truly live peace, love and self-sacrificing lives if we’re also using animal lives as food? Do we really want to continue to perpetuate violence against us?

Leo Tolstoy believed this, Leo Tolstoy said, “As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields.” These phrases are particularly relevant today due to the filthy machines, sprawling “farms” and the downright brutal conditions they create. There is no longer the humble family farm, in which pigs, cows, and chickens were free to roam and grazed at enjoyed leisure. Nowadays animals are fed a non-natural food and are injected drugs after drugs. This is not just to protect against the illness which is more likely to develop in these conditions as well as because factory-farmers have observed that certain drugs can accelerate the growth of tissue and production of milk. The lives of animals that are raised in factories are fast-paced thanks to drugs. Their lives serve one goal which is to transform them into food as efficiently as it is feasible.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

With this information and the present conditions for our animals on farms, what has the state of our morals?

The sustainability of the natural environment, and ultimately, human existence

The benefits of a plant-based diet go well beyond the costs of animals, particularly in the present. There are messages concerning “greening” our planet everywhere on billboards, t-shirts even in movie stories. What is the role of eating meat to this message?

Today factory farming is responsible for 37 percent of methane emissions. Methane is more than 20 times the potential for global warming in carbon dioxide. The burning of fossil fuels in factory farms to cultivate feed and intensively rear animals on the land for food releases 90 % of the carbon dioxide every year. Deforestation in the world for animals grazing as well as feed crops is believed to release 2.4 million tons of CO2 each year. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project, some farms that test for factory farming located in the United States registered pollution emission levels that were well over Clean Air health-based limits.

Environmental issues aside, the truth is quite clear: if all the world could abandon the habit of eating meat and eat only vegetables, we could have taken the most significant step towards ending hunger across the globe. The following facts were reported in the journal of David Pimentel, professor of ecology at Cornell University:

“If all the grain currently fed to livestock in the United States were consumed directly by people, the number of people who could be fed would be nearly 800 million.”

The phrases that came from Albert Einstein ring true:

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

It’s all interconnected

When you are navigating your way through this plant-based diet make sure you keep all of those “reasons” in mind. Based on my personal experience as well as the testimony of a lot of family and friends members, it’s unsustainable to simply pick one of the reasons off the list, and set out on a journey of plant-based living with complete faith. Most people who decide to adopt to go vegan to follow their religion, or for environmental reasons and so on. It is found that they have nutritional deficiencies. The facets of nutrition and health can’t be overlooked as well, just like ethics should not be left unaddressed.

Do you know the Indian proverbthat states “Everyone is a house with four rooms: a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual”? The proverb states that each day, we must spend some time in each of the rooms even if just to breathe it a sigh in fresh air. This idea is also echoed in the Bible which, in the chapter from Luke, Luke writes that Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

Do your best to live as the Seventh-day Adventist

A piece published by U.S. News & World Report provided a variety of suggestions for those who are looking to live until they reach 100 years old. One of the tips is: “Live like a Seventh-day Adventist”. Numerous studies have proven that Adventists have longer, healthier lives. In reality, American Seventh-day Adventists are recognized to have an average life expectancy of 88 years. This is around 10 years longer over the standard American. One of the major factors in this is the importance Adventists have placed on health. Adventist church has put on health.

In accordance with their beliefs in worshipping God by their bodies, many Adventists adhere to vegetarian or vegan diets. But physical health isn’t the only objective in their eating habits. Seventh-day Adventists take health into consideration in a holistic manner and believe that mental, physical and spiritual health can’t be separated from each other. Alongside diet and exercise, Adventists emphasize the importance of exercising as well as abstinence from alcohol or drugs, and keeping Saturday, also known as the Sabbath to be an opportunity to relaxation.

The longevity and health that are associated with Seventh-day Adventists are so intriguing that they’ve been the subject of countless articles published in a variety of medical journals. The most recent study was published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study was published in June 2013. this study analyzed the health of 70,000 Christians who are Seventh-day Adventists. It revealed, once more that a lower risk of dying was linked to the diets of vegetarians that Adventists typically adhere to.

With all this in mind how do you feel?

If you’re one of those who prefers to live life with just a small portion in the universe around you what would alter if you thought about the larger consequences of our actions and decisions? Plant-based eating is all about being caring and mindful as possible. as healthy as is possible. It’s more than just a diet. It’s a lifestyle, and I think it’s a great one, and the benefits of it are numerous.

Credits: FIFTHPLANET      &     USMEDSPHARMA