Looking for reasons to introduce more plant-based meals in your week? If you’ve followed me for a while, then you will know that I am passionate about a plant-based lifestyle. Read until the end for some delicious Katya-approved plant-based meals! :P There are many benefits of adding more plant-based meals into your day-to-day, no matter what kind of diet you follow! Plants are FULL of nutrients Eating a rainbow of plant-based foods can ensure you are eating a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Did you know different nutrients are contained in different colored fruits and vegetables, crazy huh? By aiming to eat a wide variety of colored plants in your diet you can be sure you are meeting your nutritional needs. Aim for 20 different types of plants per week. Fiber-filled Plant-based foods include a load of soluble and non-soluble fiber. Both of which have many benefits in the body. Fiber helps to keep us full throughout the day, keep us regular, and can also be beneficial to achieving healthy levels of bacteria in our gut. Win-win! Environmental benefits Eating mainly plant-based foods can also help to save the environment. A lot of animal-based foods require a lot more water compared to plant foods. For example, 1lb of beef requires 2400 gallons of water compared to 25 gallons of water it takes to cultivate 1lb of wheat. Insaneeee. Glowing skin Plant-based foods such as grapes and pistachios contain an antioxidant known as resveratrol. Resveratrol may help fight against premature skin aging and we are all for keeping that baby face over here! Vitamin C rich plants such as kiwi fruits, oranges, carrots, and strawberries help your body to produce more collagen. Collagen is a protein found in our skin that allows it to look juicy and hydrated. Dayummm gimme some of that! Struggling with dry skin? Vitamin E may be your answer and is another nutrient beneficial for skin health and hydration. Vitamin E can be found in avocados, walnuts, olives, sunflower seeds, and many other foods. Be sure to include these in your diet daily to combat skin dryness. It’s bank account friendly! A lot of the time eating plant-based can also be a cheaper option than eating animal-based foods. Foods such as beans and rice can be bought in bulk for a small price and are just as satisfying when building a meal. Katya approved plant-based recipes If you’re looking for more recipes, and how to structure these into your weekly diet then have a look at my plant-based Recipe Book! It is packed with healthy and delicious meals with heaps of educational content so that you will feel confident taking charge of your diet. I hope this has helped you understand the benefits of including more plant-based foods in your diet!