Bill Gates advocates for plant-based foods for taste and environment

Dietician Shalini Tyagi, dietetics, HCG Hospital, Ahmedabad said that by incorporating a variety of plant-based protein sources such as legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas), tofu, tempeh, seitan, quinoa, and hemp seeds, individuals can supply their muscles with essential amino acids needed for growth and repair. “Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa, as well as fruits, vegetables, and starchy foods like potatoes and sweet potatoes, provide the necessary energy for intense workouts. Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, and plant-based oils offer crucial support for hormone production and nutrient absorption,” said Tyagi.

Additionally, the abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds present in a plant-based diet can aid in recovery, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune function.

Here’s why plant-based diets are good for your health. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Low intake of saturated fat and high intakes of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds (all rich in fibre and phytochemicals) are characteristics of plant-based diets that produce lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and better serum glucose control, elucidated Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, chief clinical dietician, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore. “These factors contribute to the reduction of chronic disease. Vegans need reliable sources of vitamin B-12, such as fortified foods or supplements,” said Dr Rohatgi.

What more?

Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than diets rich in animal products because they use fewer natural resources and are associated with much less environmental damage, said Dr Rohatgi.

Who is better suited for?

According to Dr Rohatgi, these diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes.

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