What is plant-based food?
A plant-based diet involves avoiding consuming foods and drinks that contain animal products. This includes avoiding any meat, poultry, wild game and seafood, and in some instances eggs, dairy and even honey. Instead, people who follow a plant-based diet, like vegans and vegetarians, tend to stick to eating vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, grains and protein substitutes including tofu, tempeh, seitan and ‘faux meat’. While most plant-based foods are considered healthy, remember that many are processed to look and taste like real meat and therefore can contain more refined ingredients, including grains, vegetable oils and sugar.
Is plant-based food healthy?
Following a plant-based diet is said to have various health benefits, including reducing chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and certain types of cancers, according to government health information. Many people also like to consume vegan-friendly products for environmental and ethical reasons.