Two thirds of adults in America are overweight (Campbell & Campbell, 2006, p. 135). This is indicative of the current obesity epidemic. In an “intervention study, overweight subjects were told to eat as much as they wanted of foods that were mostly low-fat, whole food, and plant-based. In three weeks these people lost an average of seventeen pounds.” (Campbell & Campbell, 2006, p. 139). While this figure may sound comparable to other diet programs on the market, a plant-based diet differs greatly from traditional weight loss plans. Plant-based diets are built for long term sustainability, both environmentally and in terms of a lifestyle choice (Mekonnen & Hoekstra, 2012, p. 413).
In conjunction with obesity levels being on the rise, diabetes …show more content…
In other words, encouraging a plant based diet is the solution to slowing the animal agriculture industry. Changing the Canada’s Food Guide will affect the way people view food and nutrition. The food groups could be changed to vegetables, fruit, grains, and plant proteins. Making this change suggests that animal products are not required for proper nutrition, thus encouraging people to eat plant foods. In addition to changing the food groups, the guide could also note that meat and dairy consumption should be kept to a minimum, suggesting that these items should be consumed no more than once a week, if at all. This is similar to the category that currently exists in the food guide for ‘junk’ …show more content…
Many people are unaware of the consequences of a diet consisting of animals/animal products (Andersen & Kuhn, 2014). Therefore, educating people about the reality of the animal agriculture industry is key to reducing the amount of meat, dairy, and eggs that people consume. In order to educate people, the government should develop plant based nutrition support groups as well as a toll-fee plant based coaching hotline. The support groups would be beneficial for people who are new to a plant-based diet and need help staying accountable for their dietary choices. Meeting regularly with a group of people would allow newcomers to the plant-based lifestyle to discuss meal options and ideas, other ethical ways of living, as well as serve as a place to remain accountable for dietary choices. In addition to these points, meeting in a group setting would create a sense of community, solidarity, and collective effervescence. This would ensure that people don’t stray from the plant-based diet due to feelings of loneliness or
In conjunction with obesity levels being on the rise, diabetes …show more content…
In other words, encouraging a plant based diet is the solution to slowing the animal agriculture industry. Changing the Canada’s Food Guide will affect the way people view food and nutrition. The food groups could be changed to vegetables, fruit, grains, and plant proteins. Making this change suggests that animal products are not required for proper nutrition, thus encouraging people to eat plant foods. In addition to changing the food groups, the guide could also note that meat and dairy consumption should be kept to a minimum, suggesting that these items should be consumed no more than once a week, if at all. This is similar to the category that currently exists in the food guide for ‘junk’ …show more content…
Many people are unaware of the consequences of a diet consisting of animals/animal products (Andersen & Kuhn, 2014). Therefore, educating people about the reality of the animal agriculture industry is key to reducing the amount of meat, dairy, and eggs that people consume. In order to educate people, the government should develop plant based nutrition support groups as well as a toll-fee plant based coaching hotline. The support groups would be beneficial for people who are new to a plant-based diet and need help staying accountable for their dietary choices. Meeting regularly with a group of people would allow newcomers to the plant-based lifestyle to discuss meal options and ideas, other ethical ways of living, as well as serve as a place to remain accountable for dietary choices. In addition to these points, meeting in a group setting would create a sense of community, solidarity, and collective effervescence. This would ensure that people don’t stray from the plant-based diet due to feelings of loneliness or