Different people have different views about which is the best diet for humans. Nonetheless, health and wellness communities agree that a diet focusing on fresh, whole ingredients and reducing processed foods are better for our overall wellness. A whole-food, plant-based diet is exactly this, as it focuses on plant-based foods and minimally processed foods. It’s also effective at improving health and stimulating weight loss.

WFPB: Best diet for humans

A whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet emphasizes plant-based foods while reducing the consumption of processed food and animal products. It has been shown to prevent, as well as reverse, most major human illnesses. Here are some more health benefits of a WFPB diet.

Weight management

The modern lifestyle is a busy one, which is why most people no longer have the time for proper exercise. They also choose fast food over healthy foods because they’re easier and faster to prepare. But this lifestyle is also what’s causing our health’s decline—so much so that obesity is becoming an issue of epidemic proportions worldwide. Fortunately, this is not a problem that has no solution.

In a 2018 study, 75 people who had a history of obesity or being overweight were assigned to either continue their standard meat-based diet or switch to a vegan diet. After four months, only those who were in the vegan group lost a significant weight of 6.5 kgs or 14.33 pounds. They also lost more fat mass and had improvements in insulin sensitivity. In comparison, those who continued their previous diet with meat did not have any significant weight loss or improvements in their health.

So, making dietary and lifestyle changes can have a significant and lasting impact on our health. Researchers also have found out that people who primarily eat plant-based foods tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI). They are also less susceptible to health conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Additionally, the high fiber, water, and complex carbohydrates content of vegetables and fruits help keep people feel fuller for a longer time. So, the best diet for humans includes a diet rich in plant foods.

Lower risk of heart disease and other health conditions

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2019 found that middle-aged adults with diets low in animal products and high in healthy plant foods have a lower risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association also confirms that eating less meat can help decrease your risk of stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, certain cancers, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

The ideal way of eating a plant-based diet

A whole-food, plant-based diet consists of exactly how it sounds. However, it is not a diet in the common sense of the word, as you are not practicing restriction or deprivation techniques that one does when following a weight-loss diet.

A plant-based diet is indeed different from a vegan diet. Though similar in many ways, they are not exactly the same. A plant-based diet primarily consists of plant foods in their whole food form, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. A vegan diet, on the other hand, is less about choosing to eat certain foods to be healthy, but rather to avoid the suffering of other beings as far as practically possible. Therefore, a vegan diet can be unhealthy and vegans do eat vegan junk food, as it’s not about their health; it’s about the animals.

Veganism is not simply about the way we eat—it’s a choice to live a more sustainable lifestyle that avoids all forms of animal cruelty and exploitation in every part of lives as much as possible. This includes what we wear, the products we buy, and the entertainment we choose to avoid.

When transitioning to a plant-based diet, make sure to include these foods in your diet.

• Fruits (citrus fruits, berries, bananas, grapes, apples, avocado, and melons)
• Vegetables (broccoli, beetroot, kale, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini)
• Root vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and butternut squash)
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, peas, and black beans)
• Seeds (pumpkin, chia, flax, and hemp seeds)
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts)
• Whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, rye, whole grain bread, and barley)

How does Food For Life support better health?

Food for Life (FFL) is the largest vegan food relief provider in the world with projects in over 60 countries. All the meals we serve are freshly cooked and highly nutritious. FFL’s goal is to unite the world with our commitment to liberal food relief and spiritual equality. With our nutritious food relief service and education initiatives, we aim to show how world hunger can be addressed in the most environmentally-friendly, cost-efficient, and non-violent manner.

To really understand this sustainable diet and lifestyle, you may also want to visit an animal sanctuary where they educate families and children on how to treat animals better, as well as the benefits of plant-based diets. And if you really feel passionate about helping as many animals as possible, you may also make animal donations to these sanctuaries.

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Support the important work of Food for Life Global to serve its international network of over 200 affiliates in 60 countries. Food for Life Global is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, EIN 36-4887167. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution. Food For Life Global’s primary mission is to bring about peace and prosperity in the world through the liberal distribution of pure plant-based meals prepared with loving intention.