The power of plant-based choices.
Our food choices can have a profound impact on our well-being and the earth’s vitality. In an era when concerns about environmental sustainability loom large, the choices we make regarding our diets have taken on a new level of significance. Let’s explore the intricate connections that underscore how what’s nutritious for us also nurtures the planet.
“Research has established that plant-based diets are good for your health,” says Dr. Tanya Phares, a preventative medicine specialist in Reno. “Plant-based diets have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Plant-based nutrition supports the immune system and helps in maintaining a healthy weight.”
A plant-based diet, one rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, has been linked to a 20 percent reduced risk of heart disease, a 42 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, and a potential 19 percent decrease in overall mortality, according to a 2016 study reported in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. Additionally, the study indicated that eating a plant-based diet leads to 70 to 80 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and uses 50 percent less water when compared to diets rich in animal products.
“Making a few small changes to what we eat each day is a very practical way for all of us to be a part of the sustainability solution — three times a day,” says Donna Walden, president of greenUP!’s board of directors and founder and director of the Nevada Green Business Network, a coalition of organizations helping companies go green.
A thriving plant-based-diet movement is taking root in The Biggest Little City. With year-round farmers’ markets and a growing number of eateries offering creative plant-based dishes, Reno-Tahoe residents truly are embracing this culinary transformation. Local chefs and restaurant owners bring innovation to the kitchen with a variety of mouthwatering, plant-based menu options, too. Community organizations such as the Biggest Little Plant Pod and events such as the annual Reno Vegan Chef Challenge showcase how delicious and fun a plant-based lifestyle can be.
Choosing to eat more plants is arguably the most actionable change we can make to improve our health and reduce our individual impact on the planet. By doing so, we can progressively shape a more sustainable future, both in Reno-Tahoe and beyond, one bite at a time.
Kelly Farrell and Juliette Arnold are the visionaries behind Plant Based Strategies, a vegan hospitality consulting firm. With a shared passion for all aspects of plant-based choices, they’re on a mission to sprinkle vegan magic over local restaurants and businesses to turn the tables on traditional dining and sow the seeds of a greener, more compassionate culinary landscape. For details, visit Plantbasedstrategies.com.
