Over 17,000 doctors sent a letter to the Biden-Harris administration asking them to put the benefits of plant-based diets and ingredients at the forefront of discussions at the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
Source: Physicians Committee/Youtube
The non-profit committee of doctors based in the United States called The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) states that plant-based nutrition may be the only way to address and improve the widening health gaps in the country.
“While obesity rates and diet-related diseases in the United States are on the rise, and these conditions take a disproportionate toll among people of color, nutrition and food policy in the United States still does not adequately warn against the contribution of meat and dairy products to obesity risk and its accompanying health problems,” Dr. Barnard says.
“Nor does our current nutrition policy go far enough to highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet with regard to chronic disease prevention or encourage our nation’s health care professionals to learn about these benefits.”
According to the PCRM, the health gap will continue to rise as long as the US Dietary Guidelines continue to promote the consumption of meat and dairy over food that would combat diet-related diseases and illnesses.
“A low-fat plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, is a great way to achieve good health,” the PCRH stresses. “These foods are full of fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat. Eating a variety of these foods provides the protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients consumers need.”
The committee is urging the government to take this seriously, and the Physicians Committee officially recommends that members of the White House conference act ensure the implementation of four essential policy goals:
- Expanding Access to Plant-Based Meals in Schools and Institutions
- Removing Barriers to Plant-Based Milk at Schools
- Using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Promote Plant-Based Diets
- Ensuring Better Nutrition Education for Physicians
“A low-fat plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, is a great way to achieve good health. These foods are full of fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat. Eating a variety of these foods provides the protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients Americans need.”
“Plant-based diets have been proven to prevent and reverse heart disease, improve cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. Plant-based diets can also prevent, manage, and reverse type 2 diabetes. Given these benefits, the Dietary Guidelines should promote plant-based diets instead of meat and dairy products.”
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Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home
Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and prostate cancer, and has many side effects.
For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend purchasing one of our many plant-based cookbooks or downloading the Food Monster App which has thousands of delicious recipes making it the largest vegan recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.
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