The beet

It is the age old saying, you are what you eat. The question everyone is asking is, “what should I be eating?” Although we hear about exciting fad diets that offer rapid weight loss, the best way to achieve and/or maintain a healthy weight is to eat a healthy balanced diet, coupled with daily exercise. Plant-based options have grown in popularity due to their wonderful nutritional content and the impact that reducing meat has on the environment. Plant-based meals include proteins such as nuts and legumes. Eating more plant-based foods can lead to an overall healthier lifestyle. Additional benefits of plant-based eating include:

• A reduced risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and more.
• Reducing your environmental footprint and the production of greenhouse gases.
• A healthier heart.
• Healthier looking skin and an improved gut health.

While the USDA recommends a well-balanced diet consisting of all 5 food groups, incorporating more plant-based eating may bring additional benefits to your health. Here are a few tips to help you incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet:

• Try fruit and vegetable smoothies.
• Replace processed snacks with fun fruit and vegetable options.
• Switch out your refined grains for whole grains.
• Stay away from processed, artificial foods.