Thinking about adopting a plant-based diet? Find out how eating your greens (and other colours!) can work wonders for your body, your mind and the planet.
A vegan diet excludes all meat and animal products which includes food items like milk, cheese and honey.
Up to a third of people in the UK are looking to reduce their intake of meat and put plants at the centre of their meals, describing themselves as flexitarian or eating a plant-based diet.
If you're trying hard to get to your five a day and beyond, here are some of the great things it's doing for your body. And just because the vegan diet is plant based, doesn't mean it'll be boring or lacking in sustenance, there are a ton of amazing recipes out there that are tasty, nutritional and easy to make!
8 Awesome benefits of adopting a plant-based diet:
1. You can start small
Eating a plant-based diet doesn't need to be all or nothing. You can start by slowly substituting more fruits, nuts and vegetables into your diet in place of animal products. Supermarkets have become more accommodating to the vegan diet, which in turn makes it a lot easier for everyone to find good substitutes.
2. You can make it a fun challenge
Many people start their journey with meat-free Mondays - where they swap their usual Monday evening meal for a delicious veggie-packed option. But if you're looking for a more long term challenge, why not try Veganuary? Around 580,000 people had taken part in Veganuary back in 202, which is a international challenge where you try and go completely vegan for the entire month of January.
3. It's easier on your wallet
Adopting a plant-based diet could definitely save you money. Seasonal, local vegetables are abundant and cheap and people who eat a meat-free diet typically save over £600 a year. Yes, you can spend a lot on processed food and imported, out of season produce, but eating a plant-based whole food diet can be very cost-effective, and when bought from your nearest farmers market, you will also be supporting your local economy.
4. It can reduce the risk of health problems
Diets rich in plants have been linked to reduced levels of ’bad’ cholesterol (LDL) and boosted levels of natural antibodies. Most whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and all fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of potassium and Vitamin B6, and little to no saturated fats. both of which help to lower blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure will then reduce the risk of developing health issues such as stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
5. It could shrink your waistline
We all know that veggies are good for us, but increasing the amount of them in your diet can help you shift a few pounds. On the whole, vegetables are packed with fibre and are low in fat and if they're replacing more calorie-dense and saturated foods in your diet, you may very well lose some excess weight.
6. It's better for the planet
Switching to a plant-based diet not only benefits your health — it can also help protect the environment. From conserving water and energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, and preserving the habitats of the animals that are vital to our ecosystem, eating less meat and more sustainable produce (like locally sourced fruits and vegetables) will certainly benefit our planet in the long run.
7. It could make you smarter
There are no guarantees here, but fruit and vegetables are essential for brain health. A review of nine studies including over 31,000 people found that eating more fruits and vegetables led to a 20% reduction in the risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia!
8. You'll discover new and exciting foods!
Many of our customers know us for our meat curing kits, but what you may not know is that we're also big fans of our veggies!
In response to customer feedback, we've developed some delicious veggie rubs to compliment your favourite veggie recipes and to encourage people to try new and wonderful things. If you aren't a big fan of veggies but you wish to eat healthier and cut down on your meat intake, these extraordinary rubs just may be the solution to your problem!
The Ross & Ross Veggie Range
We have been working on developing a new Veggie range of delicious seasoning rubs to give your favourite vegetables that extra zing!
Veggie Rub 01 - A fragrant blend of Tandoori spices
This is a fragrant blend of tandoori spices, perfect for dusting over root vegetables or adding some oomph to curries.
Veggie Rub 02 - A fragrant Umami Seasoning
Is a tantalising umami blend with garlic and cayenne, giving you next-level seasoning on your favourite dishes.
Veggie Rub 03 - A Sweet, Smokey & Spicy Rub
This is a rich and smoky combination of spices with our signature Anglesey sea salt. It's perfect for bringing big flavours to your next BBQ.
Veggie Rub 04 - A heady blend of Cajun flavours
The perfect for those who like a little extra spice in their lives. The gutsy Cajun flavours are a fantastic way to spice up pulled jackfruit or add a kick to a pot of veggie gumbo.
Veggie Rub 05 - A sweet & Spicy Combo
Is a sweet and spicy in equal measure - try adding it to hummus for the ultimate dip.
Buy Online
The new Veggie Rubs will be available from our online store very soon, but all of our products are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Try our award-winning Roast Potato Oil for the crispest and most flavoursome roasties and a generous sprinkle of Brussels Sprout Dust to turn an unpopular side dish into the main attraction.