In a world where flooding and disaster make daily headlines, sometimes it's hard to have hope. It can be tough to imagine a world where everyone is fed wholesome, nutritious meals, where our eating practices align with our values toward animals, and our footprint on the planet is light. That world doesn't have to be a dream. As stated on their website, Food Day, which was celebrated on Oct. 24, "inspires Americans to change their diets and our food policies" by focusing on healthier, sustainable food practices. This year's focus, Toward a Greener Diet, encourages each of us to adopt healthier, earth-friendly and more humane food practices. And that means eating more plant-based foods.
Increasingly people recognize that eating more meatless meals is good for our health. Kaiser Permanente recommends that physicians treating patients suffering from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity to encourage a plant-based diet. Organizations from the American Heart Association to the American Institute for Cancer Research are touting the benefits of eating more plants and less animal products for our hearts and to combat certain cancers.