The Best New Year’s Resolution You Can Make — and Keep! — to Love Up Your Body and the Planet

The turn of a new year is time to take stock of the choices you’ve been making, and reflect on what you might like to change. If you’ve been thinking of going plant-based, whether just one meal a day or the whole (roasted veggie!) enchilada, now is the time.

Here are four reasons your heart will sing going plant-based in 2019:

1. Your body will thank you.

Whether you have trouble digesting dairy, or you’re concerned about the link between meat consumption and health risks like heart disease, stroke, and many cancers, going plant-based is a powerful choice you can make for your health. And when you eat plenty of fruits and veggies, your body will get the vitamins, nutrients, and fiber it needs so that you’ll look and feel your best.

2. You’ll be helping the environment.

Animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5 % of greenhouse gas emissions — more than the entire transportation sector. Meat and dairy production are also major sources of water pollution, biodiversity loss, and deforestation worldwide, and it uses 70% of agricultural land. By growing and eating more plants, we can feed more people with less impact on the Earth.

3. You support social justice.

The people who suffer the most from animal agriculture are often indigenous and communities of color. With less access to fresh, healthy foods, they experience disproportionately high rates of diet-related health issues like obesity and diabetes. And factory farms, often located in these very communities, pollute drinking water and rivers and often cause great harm to the quality of life. Additionally, 30 million kids a year are fed by the National School Lunch Program, which funnels heavily processed meat and dairy products into school lunches across the country with little regard to nutritious, climate-friendly foods. Bottom line: Going plant-based supports cleaner environmental practices and better access to healthy food for all.

4. You love to eat!

Let’s face it: going plant-based is delicious, opening up a palette of flavors, textures, and sensual delights. From warm and savory stews to locally grown treasures, there is a rainbow of flavors to explore in the world of plant-based eating.

So why not ring in the new year with a new way of eating? If you’re looking for ideas, we have plenty of resources to help you on your way. Cheers!