The power of choosing beans over beef
As more talk about the future of climate change and gas emission emerges, more focus is put on the power of plant-based eating. There’s simply no denying that eating more plants and less meat is the answer to not only supporting better health, but also a better future for climate change.
In fact, a team of scientists at Oregon State University, Bard College and Loma Linda University found that if all Americans simply swapped beef with beans, we as a country would meet the 2020 green-house-gas-emission goals.
That’s pretty darn impressive because the goal can be achieved by making one simple dietary swap. This doesn’t even take into account other dietary, energy, or transportation changes. By just choosing beans over beef, it is estimated that we would achieve anywhere from a 46-74% reduction in gas emission needed to reach the 2020 goal.
Why This Change is Powerful
Plant-based eating is a powerful way of changing the environment we live in, not to mention the abundant health benefits it holds. From an environmental standpoint, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the animals on factory farms produce a whopping 500 million tons of manure each year! We have to think about where this manure goes. And because there are no processing plants designed for animal waste, the manure either gets sprayed over the fields, or it’s stored in what’s called waste “lagoons.” Just think about the sanitation risks this poses.
So, now think about the bean over beef proposal. If we can make such a strong environmental impact with one simple dietary change, imagine if we swapped poultry with dark leafy greens, or fish with tempeh? The more plants we eat, the better our health, and the healthier our environment.
Taking a Stand to Eat More Plants & Taking on the Bean Challenge
We all have a duty to reduce our carbon footprint, and one way we can really make a difference is to eat more plants. Another study found that a vegetarian diet can greatly reduce one’s carbon footprint, and this is especially true for reducing beef consumption.
So, whether you are currently eating a plant-based diet, or want to take on the challenge to eat beans in place of beef, we’re sharing seven ways to add more beans to your diet. And, if you want to have done-for-you vegan meals prepped and shipped right to your door, check out Veestro’s plant-based meal plans. By going plant-based, you take a stand for supporting better environmental health and better overall physical health.
It’s a no-brainer, so to help get you started, here are some ways you can take beef out of your diet and eat beans instead.
How to Enjoy Beans vs. Beef
- Add to a salad
- Mix into soups or stews
- Make a three-bean salad with black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans
- Whip up homemade hummus with chickpeas and cannellini beans
- Add some black beans to a smoothie for an added plant-based protein boost
- Get creative and make black bean brownies
- Add beans to your favorite pasta dish
