For the sake of our health and the environment, it’s recommended that we incorporate more plants into our diet! Easier said than done, isn’t it?
Ultimately, what does“making our diet more plant-based ” mean? If we replace meat with plant-based foods, won’t we end up with nutritional deficiencies? And what about protein? You probably have many questions… To answer them, we spoke with an expert on the subject: a professor of nutrition at AgroParisTech who specializes in protein.
There are different ways to make your diet more plant-based: from cutting back on meat to completely eliminating animal products—it all depends on what you prefer.
Making your diet more plant-based doesn't mean drastically reducing your protein intake: The secret? Eating a varied and balanced diet.
Making your diet more plant-based should fit your individual lifestyle: plant-based substitutes can be a good way to make your diet more plant-based if you don’t have time to cook, for example.
Very often, when we talk about making our diets more plant-based, we immediately think of cutting back on meat. And that seems perfectly logical! However, for years (and even more so in France), meat has been considered the primary source of protein on our plates. Cutting back on meat would therefore imply reducing our protein intake… But is that really the case?
We asked François Mariotti about this, and guess what? Cutting back on meat isn't necessarily a threat to our protein intake.
"It all depends on how you incorporate plant-based foods into your diet. The key is to eat a varied diet. Eating a variety of plant-based protein sources goes a long way toward meeting your protein needs by providing all the essential amino acids."
The good news is that we already do this naturally. Very few people eat only rice or chickpeas at every meal. Generally speaking, we very often combine different plant-based protein sources in our diets!
But beyond protein, what other nutrients should you pay attention to when transitioning to a plant-based diet?
According to François Mariotti, iron is one of the nutrients to keep an eye on. However,“iron is certainly present in plant-based sources; it’s just in a form that’s less bioavailable than in animal products.”
In addition, it’s also recommended to pay attention to zinc and vitamin A and to take vitamin B12 supplements if you follow a 100% plant-based diet (total exclusion of meat and animal products). At HappyVore, meeting everyone’s nutritional needs is our top priority. That’s why we’ve developed balanced products that complement a healthy plant-based diet: products rich in protein, fiber, and iron—accessible to everyone!
Is a plant-based diet a way to better follow Santé Publique France's recommendations?
It is recommended that you:
François Mariotti also points out that it is important to take each person’s circumstances into account: “Not everyone is in the same situation or has the same expectations.”
In fact, depending on each person’s lifestyle and habits , these recommendations can be more or less easy to follow—after all, not all of us are aspiring chefs! That’s where plant-based alternatives come in: “They can be a good compromise since they’re ready-to-eat, affordable, and easy to prepare.”
Designed to make the transition to a more plant-based diet easier, HappyVore products are convenient and quick to prepare for everyday meals. They’re sure to delight the whole family’s taste buds!
“If you’re switching to a plant-based diet for health reasons, the best approach is to follow dietary guidelines, which can generally be adapted to fit each person’s daily routine. This doesn’t necessarily mean making drastic changes, but rather small adjustments: ‘a little more of this’ or ‘a little less of that’ are meaningful first steps.”
"Beyond health or animal welfare considerations, we must also take into account feasibility and the time available. For example, ready-made plant-based alternatives can be a good option for those who don't have much time to cook."
[2] If you follow a 100% plant-based diet, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional to ensure that your nutritional needs are adequately met through your diet or supplements.
