Plant Based Earth Day

On Earth Day (April 22nd) and during Earth Week, the Sustainability Office is challenging YOU to eat a plant powered diet. There are many great benefits to eating a plant-based diet. For example, plants are rich sources of many nutrients that are important for good health, including unsaturated fats, vitamins (such as folate), minerals (such as potassium), fiber and protein. Eating a plant-based diet has also been linked to lower the risk of obesity and many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type two diabetes, inflammation and cancer.

Eating less meat is also better for the environment, here's why... One pound of beef requires anywhere between 2000 and 8,000 gallons of water to produce, according to studies conducted by UC Davis.   Much of this water is used in creating the feed for the cows, whether it is grass or grain (Beckett & Oltjen, 1993). Similarly, 1 gallon of cow’s milk requires 1950 gallons of water. Conversely, 1 pound of Tofu requires 302 gallons of water to produce, and it requires 290 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of unprocessed oats. Therefore, the amount of water that can be saved from removing meat event one day a week can be astronomical. Check the Reef and Gorecki menus to see how you can eat plant powered today to empower the planet.

If you are someone who has never tried a plant-based diet and are worried about what the best nutrient substitutions are, it is your lucky day! We have some tips! Be sure to check out the great recipe links over on the right side as well! 

Best sources of Vegetarian Calcium

Best sources of Vegetarian Iron

Best sources of Vegetarian Protein

How to make vegetarian, eggplant and mushroom "meatballs" made by our very own Sophie Buysee ('20). See full recipe here.