Millennials, now the world’s largest generation, are
changing what’s on our plates.
In a recent NPR
article, commentator Bonny Wolf discussed this shift in American diets. She
explained how this younger generation is eating fewer animal products and more
whole plants out of concern for health and the environment. In turn, this dietary
trend creates less greenhouse gas and food waste. “Vegetables have moved from
the side to the center of the plate. And as another year begins, it appears
that plants are the new meat, Wolf states.
Food waste is a major concern for millennials. To combat it,
they’re even using vegetable scraps in their recipes. Declaring “feed people
not landfills, the USDA and the EPA aim to reduce food waste by 50 percent by
2030.
Additionally, the United Nations has dubbed 2016 the
International Year of Pulses, bringing awareness to the nutritional and
environmental benefits of dried beans and seeds. Millennials are embracing the
idea by cooking with plant-based proteins like chickpeas and lentils.
This shift is great not only for the planet and human
health, but also for animals. With less of the population consuming meat, dairy,
and eggs, more animals will be spared lives of suffering on factory farms.
You can be a part of this exciting change by switching to a
plant-based diet today. Click here for
free recipes and tips.