vegetarian Archives - Be Well Solutions

From Beans to Buckwheat: A Beginner’s Guide to Plant- Based Protein

Protein is a vital nutrient that is essential for life. Alongside carbohydrates and fats, it is one of the essential nutrients in our diet. This article underscores how the sources of these nutrients can significantly impact our health risks and other factors. While we have discussed healthy sources of carbohydrates and fats in other essays, today we focus on different alternative sources of protein, specifically plant-based protein. What is Protein Protein is composed of building blocks called amino acids. Amino acids are combined to form the proteins which are essential for building and repairing tissues, producing enzymes and hormones, and sustaining other bodily functions. Some amino acids must come from our diet and that’s why there are minimum daily amounts of protein that are recommended for good health. Daily Protein Requirements Protein requirements vary, based on physical factors such as [...]

Tags: Affordable, Environmentally Friendly, health benefits, Plant-Based Protein, Protein, Smart Snacking, sustainability, vegan, vegetarian|

Meatless Monday

Start your week off right by taking part in a Meatless Monday! Meatless Monday is a global movement aimed at encouraging others to reduce meat in their diets - not only for our health, but also the health of the planet. Why Monday you ask? Research shows that people are more apt to start healthy behaviors on the first working day of the week as it works as a “reset” from the weekend. Furthermore, ditching meat once a week is a way to save on your grocery bill. Health Benefits Converting to a plant-based diet is a low-cost way to manage your risk for chronic disease and cancer. Cutting our daily meat intake just one day a week can help us to maintain a healthy weight and reduce our blood pressure. Skipping meat and swapping it out for plant-based proteins [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellness, meatless, meatless monday, sustainable, vegetables, vegetarian|

Try a New Food: Comforting Black Bean Veggie Soup

Comforting Black Bean Veggie Soup January is National Soup Month! There is nothing better than cozying up with a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter’s day. You might be tempted to reach for your favorite canned variety. But many canned soups are loaded with sodium. Excessive sodium intake may elevate blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease. The worst canned soup offenders pack over half a day’s worth of sodium into a single 90 calorie serving. Not to mention, you’ll probably finish an entire two-serving can as a quick meal, exceeding daily sodium recommendations from the American Heart Association—in just one meal! We prefer preparing our homemade favorites in large batches, then freeze leftovers in single portions inside Ziploc bags. All it takes is a quick thaw and reheat in the microwave to enjoy our favorite [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellness, low fat, nutrition, recipe, soup, vegan, vegetarian|

Plant-Based Red Meat Consideration

Plant-Based Red Meat Considerations You can now find ultra-realistic plant-based hamburgers at national fast-food chains, and soon, realistic replacements for chicken and seafood. These foods offer critical environmental benefits since their production requires up to 99% less water, 46% less energy, and 93% less land than an equal amount of animal-based protein, according to industry-funded research. Still, their swift introduction into the marketplace didn't give enough time for well-designed scientific studies to assess their impact on our long-term health. As registered dietitians, here's what we're considering about the new plant-based red meat alternatives. Lack of Research In contrast to diets high in red meat and processed meats, plant-based diets generally reduce the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers. But research that came to these conclusions only considered conventional plant-based diets—ones that [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellness program, red meat, vegan, vegetarian|