With that in mind, here’s a look at some reasons why plant-based diets are on the rise and why more of us should consider swapping out meat in our meals for better options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vegetarian diets are healthier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/qnet-products-climate-change-health-header.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAccording to certain experts, avoiding meat, animal fats and dairy products denies the body crucial vitamins and minerals. But that’s simply not true. We can obtain essential nutrients from a wide variety<\/a> of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore importantly, going vegetarian has been found to make one less susceptible to serious health concerns<\/a> like hypertension, diabetes, stomach and bowel cancer and heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd then, of course, there are the positive benefits plant-based foods have on weight management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeat consumption is bad for the environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen we declared all QNET offices and events meat-free in 1998, plant-based eating was seen by many in the supposed “developed world” as a fad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s not the case anymore, though. In fact, science has confirmed that livestock farming and industrial meat production pollute the environment<\/a> and contribute significantly to deforestation, habitat loss and the extinction of certain plant and animal species.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt has also made our world warmer<\/a>, no thanks to copious amounts of methane and nitrous oxide being produced. Hence, the advice of climate scientists about more people needing to transition to plant-based eating<\/a> before it’s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnimal slaughter is cruel and unethical<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/homepure-zayn-pet-allergies-mom.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSustainability and environmental concerns notwithstanding, some people have also chosen to give up meat over the unethical exploitation and killing of animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Billions of animals are raised and slaughtered<\/a> for food every year. Some reports reveal that, in stark contrast to what the global meat-production industry would have us believe, these poor creatures are cruelly reared and transported before being killed for the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGranted, we still don’t know if animals experience emotions the way humans do. But research confirms that all creatures, fish included<\/a>, can feel discomfort, pain and physical suffering<\/a>. And that’s been enough for scores of animal lovers to say, “Enough is enough!”<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlant-based food is affordable and cost-effective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt’s true that certain processed plant-based products can be pricey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But fresh fruits and vegetables, which are healthier than processed food, are more affordable and generally cost less than fish, poultry, dairy and meat. As a matter of fact, according to an Oxford University study<\/a>, vegetarian diets can reduce your food bill by up to one-third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAccording to certain experts, avoiding meat, animal fats and dairy products denies the body crucial vitamins and minerals. But that’s simply not true. We can obtain essential nutrients from a wide variety<\/a> of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More importantly, going vegetarian has been found to make one less susceptible to serious health concerns<\/a> like hypertension, diabetes, stomach and bowel cancer and heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And then, of course, there are the positive benefits plant-based foods have on weight management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we declared all QNET offices and events meat-free in 1998, plant-based eating was seen by many in the supposed “developed world” as a fad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s not the case anymore, though. In fact, science has confirmed that livestock farming and industrial meat production pollute the environment<\/a> and contribute significantly to deforestation, habitat loss and the extinction of certain plant and animal species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also made our world warmer<\/a>, no thanks to copious amounts of methane and nitrous oxide being produced. Hence, the advice of climate scientists about more people needing to transition to plant-based eating<\/a> before it’s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sustainability and environmental concerns notwithstanding, some people have also chosen to give up meat over the unethical exploitation and killing of animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Billions of animals are raised and slaughtered<\/a> for food every year. Some reports reveal that, in stark contrast to what the global meat-production industry would have us believe, these poor creatures are cruelly reared and transported before being killed for the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granted, we still don’t know if animals experience emotions the way humans do. But research confirms that all creatures, fish included<\/a>, can feel discomfort, pain and physical suffering<\/a>. And that’s been enough for scores of animal lovers to say, “Enough is enough!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s true that certain processed plant-based products can be pricey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But fresh fruits and vegetables, which are healthier than processed food, are more affordable and generally cost less than fish, poultry, dairy and meat. As a matter of fact, according to an Oxford University study<\/a>, vegetarian diets can reduce your food bill by up to one-third.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeat consumption is bad for the environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Animal slaughter is cruel and unethical<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlant-based food is affordable and cost-effective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/qnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-of-a-plant-based-diet-2023-B_14968547-1068x712-1.webp\" "\\"\\"")
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