Auckland Council

Living plant-based: eating for the planet

Jackson - Mairangi Bay, Auckland

March 2019

Living plant-based: eating for the planet hero image
"Living a plant-based lifestyle isn’t just a trend, the environment is my drive for taking action."

Most people assume I’m vegetarian because I’m doing it for the animals or for health reasons, but sustainability is the key driver for me. I took a few environmental papers at university which highlighted that there wasn’t enough being done, and that I needed to start taking action myself.

Living a plant-based lifestyle isn’t just a trend, it’s about connecting to my values and something relevant to me. The environment is my drive for taking action. Eating plant-based meals gives me more energy, which I think comes down to the fact that I’m more selective with what I eat. My gut health has improved, and I just generally feel so much better for it.

Changing your diet takes commitment. My advice  is just to give it a go and remember why you are doing it. Do whatever works for you and don’t get caught up with any labels. There are always alternatives to meat, just be open to them. Also, there are lots of meals you can just adapt to make them vegetarian.

The most important thing for me is to lead by example. When I'm going somewhere with friends or family I consciously make the effort to bring enticing plant-based food, and I always make enough for everybody. So, I might not be able to eat your food, but you can always share mine!

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