BUT WHERE DO I GET MY PROTEIN ?
PLANT-BASED FITNESS NUTRITION
If you or any of your clients are among the growing number of people moving towards a more plantfocused diet , how , asks dietitian Ashleigh Feltham , can you fulfil the nutritional demands of training ?
T he plant-based diet trend continues to gain momentum . The ever growing list of variations , from ‘ standard ’ vegetarian and pescatarian , to vegan , dairy free and flexitarian , are commonplace enough to no longer raise eyebrows .
Going plant-based does not , however , have to be an all-or-nothing way of eating . For instance , the global Meatless Monday movement encourages people to reduce , but not necessarily eliminate , meat consumption , by cutting it out of their diet for at least one day a week .
Why are we eating less meat ?
Overall , more people are eating fewer animal products and consuming more whole plant foods . But why are so many people choosing a vegan or vegetarian dietary approach , or simply reducing their consumption of meat protein ?
Environmental sustainability
Ruminant animals , like cows and sheep , are responsible for 18 % of greenhouse gas emissions . These gases damage the ozone layer and are a significant factor in global warming . As environmental concerns have moved from being a fringe to a mainstream topic in recent years , the realisation that eating animals leaves a considerable footprint on the planet has caused more people to reduce their meat intake .
Increased awareness of health benefits
Swapping a couple of meat-based protein meals each week for plant-based protein meals is linked with a healthier body weight , prolonged lifespan , and reduced risk of diseases including certain cancers , diabetes and heart disease . The World Cancer Research Fund and Heart Foundation recommend no more than 350-500g of red and processed meat each week to reduce your risk of cancers , such as colorectal cancer .
Animal welfare concerns
A growing knowledge of the factory farming agricultural practices associated with the mass production of meat for human consumption has elevated animal welfare issues for a lot of people .
Collectively , we are realising that our dietary choices will significantly impact our children ’ s future and the world that they will inherit . Even if we choose to eat meat , simply buying local or Australian produced foodstuffs can have a positive effect , because doing so means that fewer ‘ food miles ’ have been travelled in order for your meal to reach your dinner plate .
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