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While any ol' protein bar offers convenience, not all bars are created equal in terms of overall nutritional value and, certainly, overall level of sustainability and eco-friendly production. So, which are the best vegan protein bars on the market?
<p>Finding the right protein bar can be hard, and the job is even tougher when you're a vegan. That's because many of the top bars on the market today are made with non-vegan ingredients, whether that's honey, whey protein, or milk.</p><p>We've done a little detective work for you, testing out some of the <em>best</em>, most filling, most sustainable, and more nutritious vegan protein bars available today. These are a few of our picks.</p><h2>Our Picks for the Best Vegan Protein Bars</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Josh Hurst</strong> is a journalist, critic, copywriter, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. As a writer </em><em>and independent reviewer of CBD products, Josh covers the relationship between natural wellness products and the human body. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.</em></p>
1. Aloha Organic Protein Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="bdd8e0bf4369d9e71f304e72aec99363" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178ENI4K?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FgrPeslEL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>Vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and low-sugar, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178ENI4K?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Aloha bars</a> are one of the best vegan protein bars if you want a healthy dose of protein (14 grams) without too many additives or synthetic chemicals. They come in several great flavors, too; our favorites are chocolate mint and peanut butter, but we encourage you to try any that sound good to your palette.</p>2. Shanti Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="b58b458ddff7fee45a9e5b6c87c61578" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAZQNEG?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QHj9aQxUL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>Each <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAZQNEG?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Shanti Bar</a> has 17 grams of plant-based protein, making them a great option when you only need a nibble of something to get you from meal to meal. The vegan credentials are off the charts: Shanti bars are organic, gluten-free, sustainably sourced, and made without any refined sugars. The nut butter chocolate chip maca flavor is especially tasty.</p>3. Vega 10g Protein Bar
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="bd3a945acb3a346fa4dbe11e367aacd8" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P6RMDV?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ts4YrO-TL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>We love the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P6RMDV?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Vega 10g bars</a> not only because of their simplicity, but also their great flavor. You can pick them in chocolate peanut butter, chocolate caramel, blueberry oat, or coconut almond, and we'll vouch that all are really yummy. With any option, you'll get 10 grams of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/plant-based-protein-powder-2648794018.html" target="_blank">plant-based protein</a>, plus four grams of fiber. A great snack item for anyone who wants their protein bars to be vegan, dairy-free, non-GMO, and altogether tasty.</p>4. GoMacro Organic Vegan Protein Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="f4883bbee1a86b2ec634d0c7d33846d9" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V9PM8HJ?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-SosH6PDL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V9PM8HJ?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">GoMacro's protein bars</a> are both filling and energizing. We love using them to begin the day, as they help give us the push we need to start the morning's activities with plenty of focus and stamina. Each one is made with 10 to 12 grams of plant-based protein and is completely vegan. Again, there are loads of flavor options. Our top pick: blueberry with cashew butter.</p>5. Evo Hemp Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="0d6609c136dfebc72d77d8910e0a39c0" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRBDNQQ?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pyKPCAsOL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>Looking for a protein bar that's not only vegan-friendly, but also offers the natural power of hemp protein? <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRBDNQQ?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Evo's product line</a> is one of our favorites. These bars are noteworthy for offering plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, too, which can help naturally reduce inflammation. There are plenty of other nutrients packed into these bars, too, along with some excellent natural flavors, making them high on our list of best vegan protein bars.</p>6. Rise Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="7fca211f95ef3b9d4bd53dc23d038b7e" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFY0YSW?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QIjH++EcL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>If you're looking for simplicity, give <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFY0YSW?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Rise Bars</a> a try. They're made with four simple ingredients yet have an impressive 15 grams of plant-based protein per bar. There's just something refreshing about these simple vegan bars, especially if you opt for a light flavor like lemon cashew.</p>7. 22 Days Nutrition Organic Protein Bar
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk2OTA5NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NTIxMjEyOH0.WKYat8DC5GE62XavwI65M9BFEhi4CvrLuHOgSdrgzJc/img.jpg?width=980" id="a3aa8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fdc3a56de899bf3eb6d4e3f1b6849319" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="870" data-height="988" /><p>If it's flavor you're after, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/22-Days-Nutrition-Organic-Protein/dp/B07142PGWS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=nutrition-vegan-protein-bars-20&linkId=bed095526ed3058842fd024d8f8e1a18" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">22 Days lineup</a> has a lot of enticing options: Peanut butter chocolate chip, salted caramel, fudge brownie, you name it. This is one of our top options for sweet tooths, but we'll also note how much we appreciate the balanced nutritional contents. There's even a high iron quotient here, which is something many <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/vegan-diet-health-benefits-2608604362.html" target="_blank">vegan diets</a> tend to lack.</p>8. No Cow Protein Bar
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="42a1a6238d107c4d81073c21615bbf17" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084JPHL87?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-V4JRIV7L.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>It's right there in the name: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084JPHL87?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">No Cow bars</a> are totally dairy-free, in addition to being gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO. But boy, do they pack a lot of nutritional punch. Each bar comes with 19 grams of fiber, 20 grams of protein, and a scant 190 calories per serving. There's a lot to love about the No Cow bars, and we haven't even touched on the amazing array of flavors. </p>9. Raw Rev Glo Protein Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="2ba495e3c4e0326020d7b804355f1a08" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBR83B4?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Z1-77wP8L.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBR83B4?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Raw Rev Glo</a> makes some of the best vegan protein bars that are loaded with superfoods; you'll find amazing, plant-based nutrients here, along with delicious flavors and an appealing texture. Each bar has 11 grams of protein plus 13 grams of fiber, which means it has a high overall nutritional value. These bars are an altogether wholesome and eco-friendly way to add some protein to your daily diet.</p>10. Pegan Thin Protein Bars
<div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="cc17a201db5812b934b292b9d99597d5" contenteditable="false"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7FCD4Q?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank"> <img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WtBDtPUtL.jpg" class="amazon-assets-widget__image widget__image"> </a> </div> <p>Looking for a low-carb option? You'll find just a single net carb in each <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7FCD4Q?tag=ecowatch-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Pegan bar</a>, yet there is plenty in the way of protein and fiber. Specifically, they are rich in prebiotic fiber, which can help you sustain that helpful bacteria in your gut, easing the digestion process. We also like that these bars offer some flavors you don't see from other brands, like the tasty ginger snap option.</p>Start Snacking on a Vegan Protein Bar
<p>As you consider your options for different vegan protein bars, there are a lot of factors to consider, including flavor, total fiber content, and more. One thing you can feel confident about is that each of the bars we've recommended here is fully compliant with a vegan diet. And all are made with admirably earth-friendly practices.</p><p>These are bars you can feel good about any time you need to reach for that fast <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/egg-free-vegan-breakfast-recipes-2544537485.html" target="_blank">vegan breakfast</a> or that afternoon pick-me-up. Try one of the best vegan protein bars today and see which ones you like the most.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Tofurky Hit Grocery Store Shelves 25 Years Ago, It's Had a Lasting Influence
26 November 2020
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Twenty-five years ago, a food called Tofurky made its debut on grocery store shelves. Since then, the tofu-based roast has become a beloved part of many vegetarians' holiday feasts.
<p>"Tofurky and Thanksgiving are forever intimately tied in my heart," said Jan Dutkiewicz, a visiting fellow at Harvard Law School's animal law and policy program.</p>
<iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/16550342/height/45/theme/standard/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" height="45" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><p>He said Tofurky was different from most vegetarian fare because it could actually stand in for a turkey roast.</p><p>"It allowed me to be at a Thanksgiving meal having a sort of centerpiece of my own and not just eating stuffing and nibbling on veggies and whatnot," he said.</p><p>Today, there are many more meat alternatives on the market. Some brands such as <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/impossible-burger-vs-beyond-burger-2645075556.html">Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat</a> work hard to appeal not only to vegetarians, but meat lovers too.</p><p>"The strategy has been to offer a product that's as close as possible in taste, texture, and price to the products that meat consumers are already eating," Dutkiewicz said.</p><p>Producing plant-based proteins generates much less carbon pollution than animal agriculture. So Dutkiewicz said making plant-based foods that appeal – even to meat eaters – can help reduce global warming on Thanksgiving or any day of the year.</p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/the-lasting-influence-of-the-tofurky/" target="_blank">Yale Climate Connections</a>.</em> <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/r/entryeditor/2649054032#/" target="_self"></a></p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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Edgar Castrejon / Unsplash
By Emily Payne
The World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension lead to an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. As the pandemic wears on, eaters are preparing more food at home and focusing on healthier meals. Cooking and recipe website traffic surged at the start of quarantine, as did curiosity for meat alternatives.
<p><a href="https://www.nielsen.com/global/en/consumer-insights-for-fmcg-retail-manufacturers-coronavirus-covid-19/how-americans-are-shopping-during-covid-19/" target="_blank">According to Nielsen data</a>, plant-based meat saw a 264-percent increase in sales at the start of the pandemic. Whether or not this trend continues, it's clear that consumers are becoming more interested in plant-forward eating.</p><p>A plant-forward diet focuses primarily on plants like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds but does not eliminate animal products completely. Below are 10 common plant-forwarding eating myths.</p>
1. Plant-Based Foods Cannot Provide Enough Protein
<p>The <a href="https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/chapter-2/current-eating-patterns-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports</a> that about three-fourths of Americans are eating diets low in fruits and vegetables, while more than half are meeting or exceeding protein recommendations. Meat is often touted as an eater's most important source of protein, but protein is found in all foods—even whole-grain pasta, oats, or vegetables. Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds are just a few protein-packed plants. One cup of lentils contains 18 grams of protein, for example, compared to 22 grams in one serving of beef. By focusing on a diversity of whole foods, plant-forward eaters can consume more than enough protein each day.</p>2. Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Are Flavorless (and Have No Texture)
<p>Tofu has long been a meat-alternative staple, but plant-based eating has much more to offer. Seitan, often called "wheat meat," is made by filtering the starch from wheat to create high-protein gluten with a similar texture to chicken. Tempeh is made by fermenting soy and can be marinated, fried, steamed, or eaten raw. It has a subtly nutty flavor, and companies like <a href="https://lightlife.com/our-food/?active_filter=tempeh" target="_blank">Lightlife</a>, the largest U.S. tempeh manufacturer, also offer flavors like three-grain, flax seed, smoky, and buffalo tempeh. Countless combinations of beans, chickpeas, lentils, herbs, spices, and grains can be made into flavorful plant-based burgers, meatballs, ground meat, and even bacon.</p>3. Plant-Based Ingredient and Restaurant Options Are Limited
<p>From restaurants to the grocery aisle, chefs and companies are responding to consumers' demand for plant-based options. In March 2020, The Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association <a href="https://www.gfi.org/blog-spins-data-release-2020#:~:text=Plant%2DBased%20Food%20Retail%20Sales,Billion%20%2D%20The%20Good%20Food%20Institute&text=2019%20marked%20another%20impressive%20year,total%20U.S.%20retail%20food%20sales." target="_blank">calculated</a> that total plant-based retail sales reached US$5 billion in 2019, growing 11 percent over the previous year, a rate almost five times faster than total U.S. retail food sales. And <a href="https://restaurant.opentable.com/news/features/year-in-review/firmly-rooted-support-for-plant-based-dishes-on-the-rise/" target="_blank">OpenTable reported</a> that in 2019, plant-based reviews on its platform increased by 136 percent compared to 2017. From sliced bologna to ground Mexican beef, there's a plant-based option for virtually any meat craving.</p>4. A Plant-Based Meal Won’t Be as Filling
<p><strong></strong>Processed foods are high in refined starches and sugar that are easier to digest, meaning they're less filling. Whole foods are naturally high in dietary fiber that breaks down slowly, keeping the body feeling full longer. With both fiber and protein, some plant-based proteins can even be more filling than animal meat options. Incorporating healthy fats from nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, and coconuts also lends to a more filling dish. As long as there are plenty of whole foods, a plant-forward diet can fuel sustained energy throughout the day—and with fewer cravings.</p>5. Eating a Plant-Forward Diet Is Too Expensive
<p>By focusing on minimally processed foods, shopping seasonally at farmers' markets when possible, and buying staples like nuts, beans, and legumes in bulk, many eaters save money by moving to a plant-forward diet. The rise in consumer demand for plant-based products also means more companies are joining the market and supermarkets are introducing their own private labels. With a more established supply chain, plant-based meat, cheese, yogurt, and egg alternatives can become more accessible to all budgets.</p>6. It’s Difficult to Eat Complete Proteins on a Plant-Forward Diet
<p>The idea that plant-based proteins must be combined in the same meal to provide a complete protein is a long-standing myth. The <a href="http://www.eatrightpro.org/~/media/eatrightpro%20files/practice/position%20and%20practice%20papers/position%20papers/vegetarian-diet.ashx" target="_blank">Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a> says that "the terms complete and incomplete are misleading in relation to plant protein. Protein from a variety of plant foods, eaten during the course of a day, supplies enough of all indispensable (essential) amino acids when caloric requirements are met." Even if consumed at different meals and times, the body will combine the essential amino acids it needs on its own.</p>7. Plant-forward Diets Are Nutrient-Deficient
<p>Plants are some of the most nutrient-dense food options available. Dark leafy greens and legumes, for example, are rich with calcium. Beans and lentils are high in protein and fiber, low in fats, and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Many plant-forward eaters cook with nutritional yeast, which contains B12, a nutrient primarily found in animal products. Focusing as much as possible on a variety of whole foods will supply more than enough nutrients. A good trick is to eat the rainbow: colorful foods contain many essential vitamins and antioxidants, and different colors ensure a variety of ingredients (and flavor!).</p>8. Meat Alternatives Are Ultra-Processed and Unsustainable
<p>As plant-forward eating becomes more popular, meat alternatives are appearing everywhere from baseball stadiums to fast-food chains. But many products labeled "plant-based" actually undergo the same amount of processing as typical junk foods, just without the use of animal products. With added processing comes a larger environmental footprint, as well. The best way to choose alternative meat is to check the ingredient label, opting for those with short ingredient lists of recognizable names. The <a href="https://lightlife.com/product/plant-based-burger/" target="_blank">Lightlife Plant-Based Burger</a>, for example, is made from only 11 ingredients with nothing synthetically processed, and the company has committed to <u>reducing its environmental footprint</u> by 50 percent by 2025.</p>9. Children Shouldn’t Eat a Plant-Forward Diet
<p>An article <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356233/" target="_blank">published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)</a> notes that plant-forward diets can meet the nutritional needs of not only children but pregnant mothers, breast-feeding mothers, and infants. And educators agree; Los Angeles public schools adopted meatless Mondays in their cafeterias in 2013, and New York City, the largest public-school system in the U.S., began meatless Mondays in 2019. As plant-forward eating gains popularity, more plant-based alternatives children's favorite classics like hotdogs and chicken nuggets are reaching grocery shelves.</p>10. Plant-Based Products Are Always Healthier
<p>Not all plant-based products are created equal. While french fries are derived from plants, they are also high in oil and salt. The plant-based Impossible Whopper may have fewer calories than the original Whopper, but it contains significantly more sodium. A frequent culprit of this is the veggie burger, deemed a health food but often full of sugars and unrecognizable ingredients. The key to a healthy and nutritious diet is minimally processed whole foods. Look out for plant-based products with a small ingredient list (which often translates to a more environmentally sustainable choice, as well).</p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://foodtank.com/news/2020/11/ten-myths-about-plant-forward-eating/" target="_blank">Food Tank</a>. </em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Beyond Meat's PLT is advertised at a McDonald's in London, Ontario during a trial that ended in April. GEOFF ROBINS / AFP via Getty Images
McDonald's' ended a highly-publicized six-month trial of a meatless Beyond Meat burger April 6 without announcing any plans to continue or expand the partnership, CBC News reported Thursday. Instead, it simply removed the burger's information from its website.
<p>Beyond Meat's shares plunged as much as 10 percent following the CBC story, as investors had hoped for a permanent arrangement between the alternative <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/meat-consumption" target="_self">meat</a> company and the fast-<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/food/" target="_self">food</a> giant, according to <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/beyond-meat-stock-price-after-mcdonalds-ends-trial-vegetarian-canada-2020-6-1029343100" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>. McDonald's stock was also trading down one percent, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/25/beyond-meat-shares-fall-after-mcdonalds-ends-canadian-trial-of-meatless-burger.html" target="_blank">CNBC News reported</a>. And some customers also expressed disappointment.</p><p>"I was really upset because it's the only thing on the menu that I could eat," London, Ontario-based <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegan" target="_self">vegan</a> customer Jenna Walker-Cronk told CBC News. "I don't know how long it takes to get a product out, but I feel like, at this point, I'm not keeping my hopes up."</p>
<div id="c2b05" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b3585b3cd96f889d22261b7b980976f8"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1255271846888574978" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@aammyysmyth Hi there. Our Plant-Based Burger was being tested in several Markets until April 6th. We have no curre… https://t.co/UBEDYZdYeM</div> — McDonald's Canada (@McDonald's Canada)<a href="https://twitter.com/McDonaldsCanada/statuses/1255271846888574978">1588115104.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Both McDonald's and Beyond Meat insisted nothing about their relationship had changed.</p><p>"We're evaluating learnings from our recent test to inform future menu options," a McDonald's spokesperson told CBC News by email Thursday. "As we look ahead, we will plan to bring plant-based options to the menu at the right time for customers in individual markets."</p><p>Beyond Meat, meanwhile, said the trial had gone well.</p><p>"We can only comment generally and share that we were pleased with the test," Beyond Meat spokesperson Shira Zackai told CBC News by email Monday.</p>
<p>McDonald's ran two trials of the burger in dozens of restaurants in southwestern Ontario between September 30 of 2019 and April 6. It sold the burger as the PLT, for plant, lettuce and tomato, and said it was trialling the burger in Canada for a potential global rollout.</p><p>In a May earnings call, JPMorgan analyst Ken Goldman expressed doubt to Beyond Meat management about what the trial's end had meant, as Business Insider reported.</p><p>"[T]ypically if a test did well, the retailer wouldn't end it, they would expand it," Goldman said.</p>
<p>But Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said that the lack of expansion did not necessarily reflect on the trial.</p><p>"I can assure you there's no issue with McDonald's ... this is a way it's been planned and the way it's being executed. And there's been no change at all," Brown said. "I can't promise you that we'll see a massive expansion tomorrow. But there's been no change in information since we began this test and got good results in the beginning and got good results at the end."</p><p>It is possible that the lack of immediate follow-up had less to do with the trial itself and more to do with the fact that it wrapped up in the midst of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_self">coronavirus</a> pandemic.</p><p>"It's pretty hard to sort of make a decision on rolling out a product across the world, or even across America, when you're in the middle of a crisis," Toronto-based retail consultant Bruce Winder, who wrote a new book called <em>Retail Before, During & After COVID-19</em>, told CBC News.</p>
<p>Still, McDonald's lags behind its competitors when it comes to meatless offerings in North America. It has yet to offer a plant-based burger in the U.S., while Burger King has been selling the Impossible Burger for almost a year, CNBC pointed out. Impossible Foods also signed a deal this week to sell breakfast sandwiches at Starbucks, <a href="https://m.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/mcdonalds-dumps-beyond-burgers-shares-tumble-2212336" target="_blank">Investing.com reported</a>.</p><p>"People are increasingly aware plant-based products are going to completely replace the animal-based products in the food world within the next 15 years. That's our mission. That transformation is inevitable," Impossible CEO Patrick Brown told CNBC's Jim Cramer June 23, according to Investing.com.</p><p>McDonald's, which offers meatless burgers in countries including Finland, Sweden, India, South Africa and Australia, has promised a meatless burger will eventually be on its general menu, CBC News reported.</p>
<div id="a6dad" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0ab5b105b47e11b83fadc87557c6ab79"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1255893602703556608" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">🌱🍔
"I do expect that we will have plant based on the menu its just a question of when" -Chris Kempczinski, Mcdonald… https://t.co/btVNxx4Yvc</div> — Vote (@Vote)<a href="https://twitter.com/Iesa_Behbehani/statuses/1255893602703556608">1588263342.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>But for now, its North American customers will have to wait.</p><p>"It feels like [McDonald's is] behind everyone," Walker-Cronk told CBC News. "There's basically nothing else that I can eat there except for the french fries."</p>
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Tempeh skewers made from soybeans. AmalliaEka / Getty Images
By Jeannette Cwienk
After the coronavirus spread through a number of slaughterhouses in Germany and the United States, some people might be asking themselves how they can replace meat in their diets.
<p><br/></p>
<p class=""><em>Reposted with permission from </em><em><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/6-of-the-most-sustainable-meat-alternatives/a-53425695?maca=en-VAM_volltext_ecowatch-28485-html-copypaste" target="_blank">Deutsche Welle</a>.</em><a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/r/entryeditor/2645998363#/" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>Perhaps they're worried that meat production could collapse if facilities are in lockdown. Or maybe ethical reasons are their main concern.</p><p>The recent revelation that more than 200 workers at a slaughterhouse in western Germany were infected with COVID-19 has <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-modern-slavery-at-the-heart-of-german-slaughterhouse-outbreak/a-53396228" target="_blank">shed light on the catastrophic working conditions</a> in industrial meat production. But it's no secret that the sector harms people, <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/do-vegans-help-prevent-climate-change/a-49992593" target="_blank">the environment and the climate</a>, not to mention the suffering of animals.</p><p>Some 14.5% of human-produced global greenhouse gases <a href="http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/en/publications/tackling_climate_change/index.htm" target="_blank">come from the meat production industry</a>. Farm animals and their waste also cause significant environmental damage: cattle produce methane gas that negatively impacts the climate, while enormous quantities of liquid manure put groundwater at risk.</p><p>But meat consumption is increasing worldwide — even in developing countries. And the losses in nutrients are alarming. For example, 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of plant protein are required to feed an animal to get 1 kilogram of protein in the form of meat.</p><p>There are many <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/vegan-meat-the-future-of-planet-saving-plant-based-eating/a-51054861" target="_blank">alternatives to steak and sausages from animals</a> — and most of them are lower in calories, contain no cholesterol, and keep you full for longer.</p>
1. Soy Products: Schnitzel, Tofu, Tempeh
<p>The typical meat substitute in supermarkets in Europe, North America and Australia comes from soy. From burgers and goulash to sliced meat, sausages and cold cuts — a variety of products are seasoned and shaped to resemble animal products. In its native Asia, soy is mostly consumed as the fresh bean, edamame, or as tofu and tempeh.</p><p>The protein content of dried soybeans is significant — about 35-40%. On top of that, the bean contains several essential amino acids that the body needs to absorb protein. But it's also important to point out that the beans' protein content drops to about 12% after cooking. Tofu contains 7-15 grams, while tempeh and soy strips contain 18-20%.</p><p>Besides protein, soybeans also contain many unsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. By comparison, 100 grams of raw pork has about 18% protein, according to the GU nutrition table.</p><p>Given that 80% of the world's soybean cultivation <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/soy" target="_blank">comes from the United States, Argentina and Brazil</a>, the bean usually travels some distance before it's consumed. But the argument that the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/protecting-paraguays-forests-from-cows-and-soy-farms/a-16700031" target="_blank">rainforest is being cut down for tofu makes little sense</a>, because 80% of the world's soy production is actually used as animal feed. </p><p><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/eu-reaps-healthy-yield-from-us-china-soybean-spat/a-44923688" target="_blank">Farmers in Europe are now also growing soy</a>, although the conditions aren't ideal — the beans come from the subtropics, and so need a warm, humid environment to thrive. Soybeans require less water than meat production, but don't score as well on that front compared to some other legumes. </p>2. Lupins
<p><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/6-of-the-most-sustainable-meat-alternatives/a-53425695?maca=en-VAM_volltext_ecowatch-28485-html-copypaste" target="_blank">Meat alternatives made from sweet lupins</a> are becoming more popular in Germany, with shredded lupin or lupin steak no longer a rarity on supermarket shelves. Lupins are most commonly used, however, as a substitute for milk, yogurt or eggs. They're also used in gluten-free baking products because they contain no gluten.</p><p>Lupins have an impressively high amount of protein: the plant's dried beans contain at least 40%, as well as various vitamins and minerals. Unlike soybeans, lupins can cope with a dry climate and grow well in lime and sandy soils. That means conditions in Europe are better suited to lupins than soybeans.</p>3. Beans and Beyond
<p><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/can-pulses-conquer-palates-and-save-the-planet/a-19277439" target="_blank">Beans, lentils and peas also have protein in spades</a>. In their dry form, green peas contain around 23%, but that amount shrinks to 8% during cooking. Most types of beans contain 8-10% protein after cooking — more than half that of pork. These legumes aren't available as sausages or cutlets — at least not yet anyway. Still, a bean-based chili sin carne promises a decent amount of protein, as does a spread made from brown lentils instead of Leberwurst, or liver pate. Add green spelt grain, spelt or oat-flakes (17% protein) to this spread, and it becomes even healthier, as well as tasty. That's because these cereals, nuts and seeds are ideal for the absorption of protein.</p><p>All legumes, including soybeans and lupins, have a positive effect on the soil they grow in. They hardly need any fertilizer, since they draw nitrogen from the air with the help of nodule bacteria. They also enrich the earth with humus.</p>4. Seitan – Wheat Protein
<p>This meat substitute consists of wheat gluten. Its slightly fibrous texture means it is mainly used for ready-made meat alternatives. It's produced by mixing flour and water into a dough, followed by repeated rinsing to remove starch until only the protein mass remains. </p><p>As with tofu, a large amount of the vitamins and minerals are lost during this process. And then there are the many flavorings and thickeners that often get added. One advantage Seitan has over soy, though, is that the wheat or spelt it comes from can be grown in many parts of the world.</p>5. Sunflower Seeds
<p>This type of "ground meat" comes from the remnants of sunflower seeds after they've been pressed to extract oil. It contains large amounts of protein, all the essential amino acids and many B vitamins.</p><p>All nuts and seeds generally have a very high protein content. Hemp seeds top the list with more than 31%, closely followed by pumpkin seeds, peanuts (26%), almonds (21%) and sunflower seeds (19%). Nuts and seeds also contain valuable unsaturated fatty acids. This also makes them a good source of energy, in their unpressed form.</p>6. Quorn
<p>This meat substitute, known as Quorn, is made from fermented mold fungus, with added vitamins and egg protein. </p><p>Vegetarians can enjoy it fried, for example, but for vegans this highly processed product isn't an option. Still, its climate footprint is likely smaller than that of a steak, if only because the production of eggs doesn't consume as many resources as that of meat. </p>The B12 Problem
<p>Despite all the advantages that come with plant-based meat substitutes, one essential nutrient is missing: vitamin B12. Only animal products can provide sufficient bioavailable levels of it. The <a href="https://www.dge.de/en/" target="_blank">German Nutrition Society</a> recommends an intake of 3 micrograms per day. That's the equivalent of about 100 grams of beef or salmon, 150 grams of cheese, or half a liter of whole milk. That means those who don't eat animal products have to resort to food supplements to get their daily B12 dose.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Cartons of vegan dairy-free oat milk are seen in a branch of the Planet Organic healthfood store on Jan. 3 in London, England. Leon Neal / Getty Images
Oat milk is quickly becoming one of the more popular plant-based milks for everything from breakfast cereal to baking.
<p>Plant milks made from nuts, seeds, coconut, rice, and soy are largely gluten-free, so you might expect the same from oat milk. However, if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, oat milk may not be the best choice.</p><p>This article explains whether oat milk is gluten-free.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-oat-milk-gluten-free" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
Many Brands Are Contaminated With Gluten
<p>Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley.</p><p>While it's safe for most people to eat, it inflames and damages the lining of the small intestine in people with <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/celiac-disease-symptoms" target="_blank">celiac disease</a> and possibly those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Thus, anyone with these conditions must strictly avoid gluten.<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28810029" target="_blank"></a></p><p>Oats are <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gluten-in-oats" target="_blank">naturally gluten-free</a>. However, because they're often grown near wheat and processed in facilities that also handle wheat products, they're frequently cross-contaminated with gluten.</p><p>Thus, oat milk is likewise susceptible to contamination.</p><p>A Canadian study in 133 oat samples discovered that 88% were contaminated with more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten — the general cutoff for a food to be considered gluten-free.</p><p>That said, one of the varieties was certified gluten-free and tested negative for gluten.<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3118497/" target="_blank"></a></p><p>When researchers in the United States assessed 78 foods labeled gluten-free, 20.5% had gluten levels over 20 ppm.</p><p>Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't analyze foods for gluten content. Instead, it's up to manufacturers to test the products themselves.</p><p>Some manufacturers use third-party testing labs to ensure that their products are under the threshold for gluten. These have a certification — usually shown as a small stamp on the packaging — that ensures the product is indeed gluten-free.</p><p>If you can't consume gluten, you should only buy oat milk that's certified gluten-free.</p><p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Although naturally gluten-free, oats are frequently cross-contaminated with gluten. Therefore, there's a good chance that your oat milk isn't gluten-free unless it's certified as such.</p>Gluten-Free Oat Milk Options
<p>If you don't have a health reason that requires you to avoid gluten, any kind of oat milk is safe to drink.</p><p>However, if you follow a gluten-free diet, you should <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-read-food-labels" target="_blank">read labels carefully</a> to find products that are certified gluten-free.</p><p>Oatly is one oat milk brand whose U.S. products are certified gluten-free. Planet Oat, Califia Farms, and Elmhurst all state that their oat milk is gluten-free but don't have third-party certification.</p><p><strong>Homemade Version</strong></p><p>Gluten-free oat milk is also easy to make yourself, using only two ingredients — certified gluten-free oats and water. Here's a basic recipe:</p><ol><li>Soak 1 cup (80 grams) of certified gluten-free oats in water — enough to cover them — for about 15 minutes.</li><li>Drain the oats and blend with up to 4 cups (945 mL) of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water" target="_blank">water</a> for about 30 seconds. Use less water if you prefer a thicker beverage.</li><li>Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.</li><li>Chill before serving.</li></ol><p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Several brands offer gluten-free oat milk. Nonetheless, if you can't find certified products, you can make your own oat milk with certified gluten-free oats and water.</p>How is Oat Milk Made?
<p>Oat milk is made by soaking whole oats in water, milling the softened mixture, and straining the liquid from the solids. The manufacturer may add other ingredients like sweeteners or vitamins before the drink is homogenized to make it creamy and milk-like.<span></span></p><p>Oats are a particularly good source of beta glucan, a soluble fiber that gives oat milk its thick consistency and may boost heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. Notably, studies suggest that oat beverages have this same effect.</p><p>A 1-cup (240-mL) serving of oat milk provides:</p><ul><li><strong>Calories:</strong> 120</li><li><strong>Protein: </strong>3 grams</li><li><strong>Fat: </strong>5 grams</li><li><strong>Carbs:</strong> 16 grams</li><li><strong>Fiber:</strong> 2 grams</li></ul><p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Oat milk is made by soaking and milling oats, then separating the liquid. Oat milk's creamy texture is owed to its beta glucan, a healthy type of soluble fiber.</p>The Bottom Line
<p>While oats are a gluten-free grain, many are cross-contaminated with gluten — meaning that not all oat milks are gluten-free.</p><p>If you have celiac disease or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gluten-sensitivity-is-real" target="_blank">gluten sensitivity</a>, you should only buy oat milk that's certified gluten-free by a third-party organization.</p><p>Otherwise, you can make this thick, creamy <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-milk-substitutes" target="_blank">plant-based milk</a> at home using certified gluten-free oats and water.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Beyond Burger in the fresh meat section of a supermarket on July 10, 2019. UBC Media Relations / CC BY 2.0
While meat processing facilities shut down and cause shortages in the beef and pork supply chains, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are seeing a spike in sales during the coronavirus pandemic, as The Hill reports.
<p>Beyond Meat has seen its shares soar 134 percent since mid-March, as retailers request rushed deliveries to refill shelves across the country, a company spokesperson said, as <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/impossible-foods-beyond-meat-see-spike-in-demand-as-coronavirus-wreaks-havoc-on-meat-supply-2020-05-05" target="_blank">Marketwatch</a> reported. Beyond Meat shares shot up 26 percent in trading Wednesday.</p><p>A 141 percent jolt in first-quarter revenue and profit "exceeded our expectations despite an increasingly challenging operating environment due to the COVID-19 health crisis," said Ethan Brown, chief executive of Beyond Meat, in a <a href="https://investors.beyondmeat.com/news-releases/news-release-details/beyond-meatr-reports-first-quarter-2020-financial-results?mod=article_inline" target="_blank">statement</a> announcing the results, as <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/impossible-foods-beyond-meat-see-spike-in-demand-as-coronavirus-wreaks-havoc-on-meat-supply-2020-05-05" target="_blank">Marketwatch</a> reported.</p>
<p>Similarly, Impossible Foods, which is not a publicly traded company, announced that demand for its Impossible Burger has "skyrocketed among home chefs," according to <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/5/5/21247286/plant-based-meat-coronavirus-pandemic-impossible-burger-beyond" target="_blank">Vox</a>. It will start selling its burgers at Kroger's 1,700 stores nationwide, a huge increase from the 150 stores that sold its burgers at the start of 2020. In total, its <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegan">plant-based</a> meat is available at 2,700 U.S. grocery stores, including Albertsons, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2020/05/05/with-crimped-animal-meat-supply-coronavirus-may-open-big-consumer-appetite-for-plant-based-meat-from-beyond-meat-impossible-foods/#7bf6ad662920" target="_blank">Forbes</a>.</p><p>"Our existing retail partners have achieved record sales of Impossible Burger in recent weeks," said the company's president, Dennis Woodside, in a statement, as <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/5/5/21247286/plant-based-meat-coronavirus-pandemic-impossible-burger-beyond" target="_blank">Vox</a> reported. "We expect our retail footprint to expand more than 50-fold in 2020 alone, and we are moving as quickly as possible to expand with additional outlets and in more retail channels."</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/5/5/21247286/plant-based-meat-coronavirus-pandemic-impossible-burger-beyond" target="_blank">Vox</a>, the way Impossible Foods manufactures its products protects it from the worst of the pandemic. "Its supply chain is obviously unaffected by recent meat plant closures, and its workers are not contracting Covid-19 at high rates because they do not have to work shoulder to shoulder like their meatpacking counterparts."</p><p>"We've always planned on a dramatic surge in retail for 2020 — but with more and more Americans eating at home under 'shelter-in-place' orders, we've received requests from retailers and consumers alike," Impossible Foods President Dennis Woodside said in a statement, as <a href="https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/496334-demand-for-plant-based-meat-soars-during-coronavirus" target="_blank">The Hill</a> reported.</p>
<p>Now that Costco and Kroger are limiting the amount of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/meat-consumption" target="_self">meat</a> people can buy, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are looking to fill in the gaps by offering bulk products. In an earnings call on Tuesday, Brown said that Beyond Meat is introducing lower-priced bulk value packs to grocers as they struggle with supply shortages of animal protein, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2020/05/05/with-crimped-animal-meat-supply-coronavirus-may-open-big-consumer-appetite-for-plant-based-meat-from-beyond-meat-impossible-foods/#7bf6ad662920" target="_blank">Forbes</a>.</p><p>"Our biggest focus is to provide solutions for consumers as they have meat disruptions," Brown said on the call. "There is an opportunity for consumers to be aware of a different model. There are more opportunities to be relevant to customers."</p>The move away from animal-protein, which is resource-intensive to grow and raise, making it a leading cause of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-crisis" target="_self">climate crisis</a>, has helped Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods make headway into new markets. Starbucks in China has started to sell Beyond Meat.
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Slashing U.S. Meat Consumption by Half Could Cut Diet-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 35%, Study Finds
01 May 2020
Climate
People queue to buy vegan food at a food truck during the Calais Vegan Festival organized by the French association Farplace on Sept. 8, 2018, in Calais. PHILIPPE HUGUEN / AFP via Getty Images
By Andrea Germanos
A new study highlights how addressing U.S. diets could help tackle the climate crisis, finding that if Americans cut their consumption of animal-based foods by half, it could prevent 1.6 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
<p>The <a href="http://css.umich.edu/publication/implications-future-us-diet-scenarios-greenhouse-gas-emissions" target="_blank">study</a> was conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Tulane University and was commissioned by <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/conservation">conservation</a> group Center for Biological Diversity.</p><p>Gradually swapping out by 2030 half of all animal-based foods — including beef, eggs and dairy — for <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegetarian">plant-based</a> foods such as legumes and soy products could result in a 35% decrease in U.S. diet-related emissions, estimated the study. That equals a decline of roughly 224 million metric tons of emissions per year in 2030 — the equivalent of the annual emissions of 47.5 million passenger vehicles, said the researchers.</p>
<p>If U.S. beef consumption is also cut by 90%, the climate benefits could be even bigger, the analysis found.</p><p>That further-reaching change has the potential to bring about a 51% reduction in U.S. dietary-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) by leading to a cumulative decrease of 2.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.</p><p>Those possible changes are due to the heavy carbon footprint of the average U.S. diet. From the study:</p><p>The total emissions associated with producing the average U.S. diet amounts to 5.0 kg CO2 eq. per person per day. Whereas red meat (beef, pork, lamb) represents 9% of the calories available from this diet, it contributes 47% of the GHGE. All animal-based foods combined (red meat, poultry, fish/seafood, eggs, dairy and animal based fats) represent 82% of the baseline diet GHGE.</p><p>"While a diet shift isn't a silver bullet, it could play an important role in curbing climate change," Martin Heller, lead author of the study and a research specialist at University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability, said in a statement. "This research shows that replacing only half of our animal-based food consumption with plant-based alternatives could account for nearly a quarter of the reductions necessary for the U.S. to meet a Paris Agreement target," Heller said.</p>
<p>The Trump administration formally <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/04/delivering-catastrophic-message-moment-great-urgency-trump-formally-begins-ditching" target="_blank">withdrew</a> from the global climate accord last year.</p><p>Stephanie Feldstein, population and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sustainability">sustainability</a> director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said the study provided clear steps for how to rein in planet-heating emissions.</p><p>"Moving the American appetite from our burger-heavy diet to plant-based eating is a powerful and necessary part of curbing the climate crisis," she said. "The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the meat supply chain's vulnerabilities, but our food system faces even greater long-term threats from climate change. We desperately need policymakers to support sustainable diets and a resilient food system."</p><p>To help that effort, the Center for Biological Diversity has also put out a policy <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/climate/Climate-Diet-report.html" target="_blank">guide</a> outlining steps U.S. policymakers can take to successfully lower diet-related emissions.</p><p>At the federal level, the document states, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans should emphasize the importance of plant-based foods (including for protein), and urge reductions in meat and dairy consumption. At the municipal level, policymakers can enact policies to boost the "availability and acceptance of plant-based options."</p><p>"By bringing together food policy and climate policy," says the guide, "governments can provide a foundation for a healthy, climate-friendly food system."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/30/slashing-us-meat-consumption-half-could-cut-diet-related-greenhouse-gas-emissions-35" target="_blank">Common Dreams</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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An employee restocks the meat section at a grocery store in Miami, Florida on April 13. Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Now might be a good time to go vegetarian.
As meat-processing plants close across the country to stop the new coronavirus from spreading among employees, industry leaders and experts are warning of meat shortages in the nation's grocery stores.
<p>"The <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/food/" target="_self">food</a> supply chain is breaking," Tyson Foods chairman of the board John Tyson wrote in a full-page ad published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sunday, as well as in a <a href="https://thefeed.blog/2020/04/26/feeding-the-nation-and-keeping-our-employees-healthy/" target="_blank">blog</a> on the company's website, as <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tyson-foods-chairman-warns-food-supply-chain-breaking-n1193256" target="_blank">NBC News reported</a>.</p>
<div id="18143" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="735fcb7cc670a03c8f18d57cc714d4e0"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1254604496359116801" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">In these challenging days, we have a responsibility to feed our nation and the world. Though a delicate balance, ou… https://t.co/Kt9yRUCp3D</div> — Tyson Foods (@Tyson Foods)<a href="https://twitter.com/TysonFoods/statuses/1254604496359116801">1587955996.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Tyson's warning came after the company closed down two pork processing plants in Waterloo, Indiana and Logansport, Indiana in order to test workers for the virus that causes COVID-19, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/26/business/tyson-foods-nyt-ad/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>. Other major players have also closed plants as thousands of slaughterhouse employees have tested positive for the virus. Three of the nation's largest pork plants, which together process around 15 percent of the nation's pig meat, have shuttered indefinitely: Tyson's Waterloo plant; the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the JBS pork processing plant in Worthington, Minnesota.</p><p>"As pork, beef and chicken plants are being forced to close, even for short periods of time, millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain," Tyson wrote. "As a result, there will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed."</p>
<p>Outside experts also agree that the country could see meat shortages in grocery stores. <a href="http://www.archerfinancials.com/" target="_blank">Archer Financial Services</a> commodity broker and livestock analyst Dennis Smith told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/groceries-could-see-meat-shortages-end-week-amid-plant-closings-n1193401" target="_blank">NBC News</a> that meat production was down 25 percent.</p><p>"We've just completed our third week of reduced slaughter and production," Smith told NBC News. "My guess is that about one week out, perhaps around May 1, shortages will begin developing at retail meat counters."</p><p>There is currently enough meat in freezers to keep Americans fed, NBC News reported. The challenge is with moving meat, especially fresh, to grocery stores.</p>
<h3>Worker Safety</h3><p>Slaughterhouses have been forced to close because working conditions make social distancing difficult.</p><p>"I work about two feet from my coworkers," an employee at Tyson's Waterloo plant who tested positive for the virus and asked to be identified as Donald <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/22/us/tyson-waterloo-iowa-plant-employees-coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank">told CNN</a>. "I'm about an arm's length away from my partner. It's close."</p><p>The Waterloo plant only closed under pressure from the community. It was linked to almost half of Black Hawk County, Iowa's COVID-19 cases as of April 21.</p><p>Industry-wide, more than 5,000 meat and food processing workers have been sickened with the virus and 13 have died, according to United Food and Commercial Workers International Union figures reported by NBC News.</p>
<div id="cd07b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="09787f66bef819aa2d587faa18a1ce4c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1253740038237675520" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">America's meatpacking workers are on the frontlines of #coronavirus outbreak, putting their lives at risk to keep o… https://t.co/hE7jZV2h6p</div> — UFCW (@UFCW)<a href="https://twitter.com/UFCW/statuses/1253740038237675520">1587749893.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>In his ad, Tyson said the company was enacting safety measures like installing temperature scanners, requiring face masks, conducting daily deep cleans and installing dividers between workstations.</p><p>However, the case of the Waterloo plant calls into question how consistently and effectively these measures are implemented.</p><p>Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson said he visited the plant April 11.</p><p>"There was no enforcement of PPE, there was no requirement. In fact, some people we saw walking around actually had masks, but they were wearing them around their neck," Thompson told CNN. "I was surprised by the lack of measures, but I was further surprised by what they thought they were doing right."</p>
<h3>Food Waste and Animal Rights</h3><p>The closure of meat processing plants has also impacted farmers and the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/animals/" target="_self">animals</a> they raise.</p><p>"In addition to meat shortages, this is a serious <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/food-waste" target="_self">food waste</a> issue," Tyson wrote. "Farmers across the nation simply will not have anywhere to sell their livestock to be processed, when they could have fed the nation. Millions of animals – chickens, pigs and cattle – will be depopulated because of the closure of our processing facilities."</p><p>In some places, this is already happening. Iowa farmer Al Van Beek <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-livestock-insight/piglets-aborted-chickens-gassed-as-pandemic-slams-meat-sector-idUSKCN2292YS" target="_blank">told Reuters</a> he was forced to induce abortions in his pregnant sows because he had nowhere to sell his adult pigs to make room for the 7,500 piglets he was expecting.</p><p>"We have nowhere to go with the pigs," Van Beek said. "What are we going to do?"</p><p><a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/animal-welfare" target="_self">Animal welfare</a> advocates, however, called out Tyson for only caring about animal lives because they could not profit from them.</p><p>"Just as disingenuous as it has been for some meat plants to blame low-paid workers for their living conditions, Tyson Foods, which slits the throats of frightened animals every day that it operates, now has the gall to seem worried about 'depopulating' — aka killing," <a href="https://www.peta.org/" target="_blank">People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals</a> (PETA) wrote in a Twitter statement.</p>
<div id="db1db" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="774730e5abb71a51fd5a011c78f27e4f"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1254913245686558720" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Just as disingenuous as it has been for some meat plants to blame low-paid workers for their living conditions, Tys… https://t.co/XXDGZ2Bbmu</div> — PETA (@PETA)<a href="https://twitter.com/peta/statuses/1254913245686558720">1588029607.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The group recommended Tyson solve its pandemic problems by switching to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegan" target="_self">vegan</a> "meat" instead.</p>
<div id="1d27d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="35f8a071272f69708f7153f563a63cbc"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1254913247192346624" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">How can Tyson Foods fix its problems entirely?
By switching its plants to producing the #vegan meat that it's alr… https://t.co/YPNPuK0xeF</div> — PETA (@PETA)<a href="https://twitter.com/peta/statuses/1254913247192346624">1588029607.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Cookbook Offers Plant-Based Recipes Inspired by Traditional Mexican and Central American Cuisine
06 April 2020
Food
Ingredients are displayed for the Old School Pinto Beans from the Decolonize Your Diet cookbook by Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel. Melissa Renwick / Toronto Star via Getty Images
By Molly Matthews Multedo
Livestock farming contributes to global warming, so eating less meat can be better for the climate.
Listen here:
<iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/13569779/height/45/theme/standard/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" height="45" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe><p>And Luz Calvo, professor of ethnic studies at Cal State East Bay, says that eating a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegetarian">plant-based</a> diet has a long history for many Mexican people: "Our diet has … historically been rooted in eating very little <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/meat-consumption">meat</a> or sometimes even no meat at all."</p><p>Calvo is co-author of a cookbook called "<a target="_blank" href="https://arsenalpulp.com/Books/D/Decolonize-Your-Diet">Decolonize Your Diet: Plant-Based Mexican-American Recipes for Health and Healing</a>." The cookbook is based on a Mesoamerican diet – a diet that's largely composed of foods traditionally grown in Mexico and Central America, such as corn, beans, squash, and greens.</p><p>The recipes include, for example, green chile stew, pumpkin empanadas, sweet potato tacos, and enchiladas stuffed with potatoes, greens, and pumpkin seeds.</p><p>"Our hope is that our book provides plant-based recipes that are appealing to folks who have been raised eating Mexican food and are appreciating those flavors and smells and spices that are associated with their grandmother's or their great-grandmother's kitchens," Calvo said.</p><p>They say this kind of cooking can help people connect with an ancestral diet and eat in a way that is easier on the planet.</p>
<p><span></span><em>Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media.</em><br/></p><p><em>Molly Matthews Multedo co-leads the Pinyon Foundation, which produces educational radio and digital media projects for Spanish-speaking audiences in partnership with Hispanic Communications Network.</em></p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/04/cookbook-offers-plant-based-recipes/" target="_blank">Yale Climate Connections</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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A vegan tortilla wrap with falafel and fresh salad. Plant-based diets have the potential to dramatically improve human and planetary health. Elena_Danileiko / iStock / Getty Images Plus
By Shireen Kassam
Many of the important benefits of a plant-based diet – particularly for climate health and animals – are well known. Yet despite the science being very clear, there remains confusion about the impact on human health.
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<p>We have long known for example, that a diet centered around whole plant-foods – fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, beans, nuts and seeds – significantly reduces the risk of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109717375216?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">heart disease</a>, <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002039" target="_blank">type 2 diabetes</a>, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/110/3/574/5498644" target="_blank">obesity</a> and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31593" target="_blank">certain cancers</a>. In fact, a low-fat plant-based diet is the only diet to have been shown to actually <a href="https://dresselstyn.com/JFP_06307_Article1.pdf" target="_blank">reverse</a> established coronary artery disease. It has also been seen to reverse <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2677007/" target="_blank">type 2 diabetes</a>, enable effective and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nutd20173" target="_blank">sustained weight loss</a> without portion control or exercise, and arrest the progression of early stage <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18602144" target="_blank">prostate cancer</a>.</p><p>Here are five additional benefits of a plant-based diet that may surprise you.</p>
<h2>1. Improves Mental Health and Well-Being<br></h2><p>Diet choices can have a major impact on mood and mental health, and there is a very good reason for this. Diet affects the health of our gut bacteria, which produce many of the hormones active in the brain. Gut bacteria thrive on fiber, which is only found in whole plant foods. So it is no surprise to find that a plant-based diet can benefit mental health.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24524383" target="_blank">one U.S. study</a> conducted at a large insurance company, participants who were overweight or had a history of type 2 diabetes were either prescribed a low-fat <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegan">vegan</a> diet or asked to continue their usual diet for 18 weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in mental health, well-being and work productivity in those on the vegan diet, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety.</p>
<h2>2. Reduces Arthritic Pain</h2><p><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/" target="_blank">Osteoarthritis</a>, the painful breakdown of cartilage in the joints, appears to be an inevitable consequence of aging. It is not reversible but it is manageable, usually with pain medication and sometimes surgery.</p><p>So what role could a plant-based diet play here? One <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/arthritis/2015/708152/" target="_blank">small study</a> looking at the diet's impact showed a significant improvement in self-reported pain and functioning in people with osteoarthritis. One reason for this could be the <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/association-of-vegetarian-diet-with-inflammatory-biomarkers-a-systematic-review-and-metaanalysis-of-observational-studies/ED9F562A1AEC0E65B90A092A0427C093/core-reader" target="_blank">anti-inflammatory properties</a> of the micro-nutrients present in plant foods, as inflammation is the main cause of pain in arthritis. <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/meat-consumption">Meat-based diets</a> have the opposite effect and, in general, increase the level of inflammation in the body.</p>
<h2>3. Improves Period Pain in Women</h2><p>So if a plant-based diet can improve arthritis pain, could it also perhaps improve other types of pain? Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10674588" target="_blank">research</a> suggests it could help with period pain in women.</p><p>For this study, women swapped to a low-fat vegan diet for two menstrual cycles, and then back to their usual omnivorous diet for their next two. Pain duration and intensity and pre-menstrual symptoms were recorded and levels of a hormone affecting estrogen levels were measured.</p><p>On the low-fat vegan diet, women reported less pain duration and intensity, shorter duration of premenstrual symptoms and tests showed a lower level of estrogen. People are often surprised to hear that diet can impact hormone levels in the body. This study shows exactly that, and how lower estrogen levels can benefit women's health in a number of ways.</p>
<h2>4. Reduces the Risk of Urinary Tract Infections</h2><p>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189953.php#causes" target="_blank">most common</a> causes of infection in the general population with the bacteria <em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E coli</em>) often being the culprit. Infection can occur because <em>E coli</em> from the intestine finds its way into the urinary tract. But UTIs can also be caused by <em>E coli</em> strains commonly found in farm animals such as chickens and pigs, so eating contaminated sources of meat can lead to infection.</p><p>Given the link between <em>E coli</em> and UTIs, It might seem obvious that those on a plant-based diet who avoid meat might have a lower risk of infection, but whether this was the case was not known for sure until recent research came out.</p><p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-58006-6" target="_blank">The analysis</a> of several studies shows that vegetarians have a 16% lower risk of UTIs compared to non-vegetarians. This confirms previous data suggesting that meat-borne bacteria are a major contributor to the risk of UTIs. Increasingly these food borne bacteria are displaying antibiotic resistance.</p>
<h2>5. Saves on Hospital Costs</h2><p>So if those following a health plant-based diet have a lower risk of ill health then surely this will save on health costs.</p><p>In a <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03204552" target="_blank">large Taiwanese study</a>, vegetarians were found to have a lower rate of outpatient visits, which translated into a 13% lower outpatient expenditure and a 15% lower total medical expenditure. So it is interesting to hypothesize the health economic impact of a plant-based diet on the UK's cash-strapped National Health Service.</p><p>In 2017, <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthcaresystem/bulletins/ukhealthaccounts/2017" target="_blank">spending on healthcare</a> in the UK totaled £197 billion (approximately $232 billion) – approximately £2,989 per person. If everyone in the country shifted to a vegetarian diet, this could (using the 15% reduction as a guide) reduce healthcare expenditure by £30 billion.</p><p>Plant-based diets, then, not only have the potential to dramatically improve human and planetary health, but could have significant benefits for the health of the economy too.</p>
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<em>Shireen Kassam is a visiting professor with the Health and Wellbeing Research Group at the University of Winchester.</em>
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<em>Disclosure statement: Shireen Kassam has received funding from Vegfund, Oatly and Lush.<br/>
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<em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-surprising-benefits-of-a-plant-based-diet-130902" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.</em>
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Most Americans Don't Consider Environmental Impacts of Food Choices, but Are Willing to Eat More Plants, Study Finds
14 February 2020
Food
One way to improve the environmental impact of how people eat is to make it a point of conversation. TommL / Getty Images
Recent books like We Are the Weather advocate for considering how our dietary choices affect the climate crisis, but new research shows that most Americans are not discussing the environmental impacts of their diets with friend and family, as Inverse reported.
<p>The bright side is that almost everyone surveyed said they were willing to eat more fruits and vegetables, while more than half said they were willing to cut down on red <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/meat-consumption" target="_self">meat</a> and choose <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegetarian" target="_self">plant-based</a> alternatives, according to a <a href="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-and-the-american-diet/" target="_blank">new report</a> of more than a thousand adults in the U.S. by Yale University and the nonprofit Earth Day Network, as <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/13/21136515/meat-plant-based-climate-change-impossible-burger-beyond-fruit-vegetables" target="_blank">The Verge</a> reported.</p>
<p>The report, <a href="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-and-the-american-diet/" target="_blank">Climate Change and the American Diet</a>, found that most survey participants noted a lack of information as the greatest barrier to making plant-based choices. That knowledge could influence nutrition guidelines and food marketing, if policy makers were willing to advocate for climate-friendly policies and stand up to the powerful beef and dairy lobbies. As <a href="https://www.inverse.com/science/sustainable-diets-peer-pressure-can-make-difference" target="_blank">Inverse</a> reported, making facts about plant-based meat alternatives more accessible could make a big difference, and food labels are the ideal medium to share information.</p><p>"If we do not make the connection between food that we're eating and climate change, we're doing ourselves a disservice," said Jillian Semaan, food and environment director at the Earth Day Network to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/13/21136515/meat-plant-based-climate-change-impossible-burger-beyond-fruit-vegetables" target="_blank">The Verge</a>. "The most immediate action anyone can take [on climate change] today is to look at what they're putting on their plate and what they're putting in their body."</p>
<p>One way to improve the environmental impact of how people eat is to make it a point of conversation. The survey, which gathered answers from more than 1,000 Americans representing a cross-section of society, found that 70 percent rarely or never talk about the environmental impact of their food choices with friends or family. Nearly two-thirds of the Americans surveyed report having never been asked to eat more plant-based foods, and more than half rarely or never hear about the topic in the media, according to a <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/ysof-7po021220.php" target="_blank">summary</a> from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.</p><p>"Many American consumers are interested in eating a more healthy and climate-friendly diet," said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, in a <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/ysof-7po021220.php" target="_blank">press release</a> accompanying the <a href="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-and-the-american-diet/2/" target="_blank">new report</a>. "However, many simply don't know yet which products are better or worse — a huge communication opportunity for food producers, distributors and sellers."</p>
<p>In addition to the 70 percent of people who do not talk about the climate impact of the food they eat, there were some other surprising trends that <a href="https://www.inverse.com/science/sustainable-diets-peer-pressure-can-make-difference" target="_blank">Inverse</a> reported:</p><ul><li>94 percent: Are willing to eat more fruits and vegetables</li><li>54 percent: Are willing to cut down on red meat</li><li>91 percent: Are "moderately" concerned about health</li><li>67 percent: Are open to plant-based foods — fruit, vegetables, and dairy alternatives — but only if they taste better than their animal-based alternatives</li><li>63 percent: Would increase eating of plant-based food, if it costs less than meat</li><li>30 percent: Hear information about how food affects global warming at least once a month</li><li>50+ percent: Want to hear more information about food's environmental impact</li><li>50 percent: Would eat more plant-based foods if their friends and family did</li><li>13 percent: Would eat more plant-based foods if celebrities did</li></ul><p>As <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/13/21136515/meat-plant-based-climate-change-impossible-burger-beyond-fruit-vegetables" target="_blank">The Verge</a> pointed out, meat usually has a much larger carbon footprint than fruits, vegetables and grains. Raising animals for food is resource intensive, taxing land and water supplies. Demand for cattle has led to massive clear-cutting of the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/amazon-rainforest">Amazon rainforest</a>. There's ample evidence that for people who live in affluent countries, cutting back on meat is the single best thing they can do to fight the climate crisis.</p>"This data is a wake-up call for the climate movement," said Semaan in a <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/ysof-7po021220.php" target="_blank">press release</a>. "Animal <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/agriculture">agriculture</a> is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis, we need to provide people with the relevant information that connects food choices, animal agriculture and climate change."
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