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Plant-Based Eating: 3 Myths Busted
CSSI Staff Post – August 6, 2020
The shift toward plant-based eating is a trend that is here to stay. According to the International Food Information Council's 2020 Food & Health Survey, over the past year, 28% of consumers are eating more protein from plants, 24% are consuming more plant-based dairy alternatives and 17% are eating more plant-based meat options.
As a dietitian, I can get on board with everyone eating more plants—it’s associated with weight loss
and reducing your risk for heart disease
and type 2 diabetes.
Even still, many are hesitant to give it a try. Here are three of the biggest consumer misconceptions I see about plant-based eating:
Myth #1: I’ll have to give up meat and animal products.
Reality:
The great thing about plant-based eating is that there isn’t a certain amount of plants you “have” to eat to follow this diet. The eating pattern focuses on including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds as well as herbs and spices. But it also doesn’t exclude any foods—animal-based products are still on the table (no pun intended). When people approach eating patterns in terms of what can be added versus what should be removed, they’re much more likely to maintain the pattern long term. I define plant-based eating as plants mostly, then everything else.
Myth #2: I won’t like the taste.
Reality: For many consumers, it can be intimidating to start cooking or eating new foods. My favorite tip is to “go halvsies.” You don’t need to follow an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to plant-based eating! It can be as easy as incorporating more plants into the foods you already enjoy. Try asking for half veggies and half meat when ordering a burrito bowl or topping pizza with an additional veggie or two.
Myth #3: It won’t fill me up.
Reality: Many people are nervous that plant-based foods, specifically plant-based proteins, will leave them feeling hungry. But you can consume enough protein from plant sources alone, and they also provide additional nutrients, vitamins and minerals that you wouldn’t find in animal-based proteins. For example, a cup of whole-grain quinoa provides 8 grams of protein plus 5 grams of fiber, which may help keep you fuller for longer. You won’t find any fiber in animal sources of protein like chicken, beef or eggs.
Amanda Izquierdo, RD
Account Planner
March 1st, 2023 We’re thrilled to introduce the newest addition to our culinary family: Chef Steve Madonna. Formally trained in both Italy and the United States, as well as having worked for Wolfgang Puck, Chef Steve brings an extensive set of connections and culinary knowledge to our already stacked chef roster. Featured in this month’s issue is one of Chef Steve’s favorite recipes for making memories at home with your loved ones.
October 19, 2022 Pumpkin pie is a nostalgic menu item and my personal favorite when it comes to fall and winter menus, as it goes hand in hand with a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. We elevate the nostalgia by turning this must-have holiday dish into a clarified cocktail that leaves your taste buds as curious as your eyes. We get adventurous as we replace expected visual elements with an ice-cold glass of clarified liquors infused with pumpkin pie. This cocktail defies all visual expectations, while leaving your sense of smell and taste immersed in a seasonally nostalgic experience.
October 19, 2022 Canada is well known for many things. Hockey, snow, maple syrup, and a few other stereotypical but somewhat accurate concepts may immediately come to mind. What you may not know, though, is how invested we are in the snacks that we consume. Compared to the U.S., sure, we are no match for the quantity and variety offered in the land of the free, home of the snacks. However, what we know in our hearts is that Canada has a long-standing, tried-and-true, flawed, yet beloved top-notch snack game. I’m talking about comfort foods that have become so integrated and so established that they are classified as cult-favourites—and no, I did not spell favourites incorrectly. You are about to see a lot more of the letter “U” in this article. Sorry! The great Canadian snack game is easy enough to understand. You think of a flavour and either slap it on a potato or pair it with chocolate. Snacking has always been a huge part of Canadian food culture, but it is only going up from here. To put it lightly, the past few years have been tough on everyone around the world, and Canadians have chosen to increase their spending on snacks by 67% as an indulgence or, personally, as a coping mechanism. In no way, shape, or form am I claiming to be a culinary expert somehow employed in the field of Finance, but I have eaten a lot in my life and right now, I’m the best and/or only Canadian guide you’ve got. Let’s get into the details:
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