If you were asked to list some of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to the sustainability of our planet, what would you say? Saving the rainforest? The responsible allegation of clean water? Cutting our greenhouse gas emissions? What if we told you that all these things are connected and could be addressed by examining one thing—our diet!
At HipCityVeg, we know the power of small, everyday decisions. Something as simple as what you eat can have a monumental impact on our health and planet. That’s why we’re encouraging those who haven’t already adopted a plant-based lifestyle to go one day a week without eating animal products. The benefits of this small choice may surprise you:
1. It’s better for your health
More energy, more nutrients, less risk of disease—the list goes on. Health benefits like these have turned professionals like NBA powerhouse, Kyrie Irving, tennis superstar, Venus Williams and NFL activist, Colin Kaepernick, into dominant competitors. It’s not just athletes either. By taking part in the challenge to change up your eating habits for one day a week, you’ll be joining dozens of influencers who believe your personal diet can make a difference, and it’s easy to see why. For starters, compared to a diet with more meat, those who embrace plant-forward eating lower their odds of getting coronary heart disease, diabetes, heart disease, & high blood pressure. Research also shows that plant-based diets are low in energy density and high in complex carbohydrate, fiber, and water, meaning you’ll stay full longer and retain more energy—that’s a win-win in our book.
With all the technological innovation in today’s world, it is almost shocking to see how much just a plant-forward diet can impact our planet.
3 plant-based meals per week (in place of meat) can save about:
- 225 sq.ft. of land
- 120 gallons of water
- 54 miles of car emissions
Globally, livestock is responsible for 18% of our greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than what transportation-related sources produce. Even more surprising, If the entire U.S. didn’t eat meat or cheese for just one day a week, it would be the equivalent of not driving 91 billion miles—or taking 7.6 million cars off the road. Imagine the impact that global participation could have.
3. It can help end world hunger
This is no joke. If the majority of calories we produced weren’t fed directly to livestock, we could feed 10-11 BILLION people. That’s greater than the number of people inhabiting the planet plus a few billion to spare. Currently, 26% of the world’s surface is used for livestock grazing, contributing to deforestation, erosion, and desertification. Imagine how many people we could feed if that land was used to farm crops. In a world where 795 million people currently don’t have enough food to live healthy lives, that’s a big deal.
4. It’s easy with our Smokehouse Burger
It’s understandable that to some, finding a satisfying, plant-based meal can be stressful. But that’s where we come in! With the help from our friends at Beyond Meat, our latest creation, The Smokehouse Burger, is guaranteed to leave people who would never think of going meatless, speechless. This big boy is smothered in tangy, smoky flavor and made directly from plants like peas, beets, and beans. Not only that, but it has 20 grams of protein, no soy or gluten, and no GMO’s. It’s basically a super filling, unbelievably satisfying salad—so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging.
Providing people with the foundation and opportunity to embrace a plant-forward diet is what we set out to do—it just so happens it can change the world too. Stop by the nearest HipCityVeg location and see why eating plant-based one day a week has never been so tasty.
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook