Growing up in Dhaka, the term “plant-based” was not in my dictionary. I ate what most Bengali toddlers ate in the late 90s: A “khichuri” of blended rice, vegetables, and boiled meat. Being raised on such a diet, and being surrounded by people on omnivorous diets, I never had my views questioned.
And like many others, I only understood pro-meat arguments, like: “Meat is the ideal source of protein and energy,” “halal slaughter is perfectly humane,” and “eggs and dairy are essential for growth.”
However, in recent years I have noticed the words “plant-based” and “vegan” pop up on my social media feeds and Netflix recommendations. The terms have made it into conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. Some would even say that the West has sparked a vegan movement, and it has started to spread around the globe.
The fact that Western animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of global warming is no longer unheard of. The massive deforestation occurring around the world just to make space for animal agriculture is working its way into classes and climate discussions. People speak up about meat-related health issues, and promote meatless diets. The vegan movement itself is proof that people are paying more attention to what they eat.
Social media has played a pivotal role in highlighting the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, with increasing celebrities, bloggers, and youtubers -- and even scientists -- sharing their health advice, vegan recipes, daily routines.
Motivations for going plant-based no longer hover around ethical conversations about animals -- they have blossomed into conversations about the best-case-scenario for the human body. To name a few, Cowspiracy, The Game Changers, and Forks over Knives are some highly rated, highly viewed documentaries on Netflix.
They have played an important role in educating the global public on what we are really doing to our bodies and the environment when we consume meat -- particularly beef. While Cowspiracy focuses on the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, The Game Changers showcases different types of plant-based athletes to support the argument that a meatless diet can be better for the human body.
Not only do studies show that plant-based sources of protein, calcium, and iron are better for the body because they don’t include negative side-effects like meat-based sources do (like high cholesterol), but science has progressed enough to show that even illnesses can be reversed with a mindful plant-based diet.
The last decade has unveiled a lot of science behind eating a whole food, plant-based diet. This means eating whole, minimally processed foods, avoiding animal products (meat, dairy, eggs), and focusing on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, etc. People have worked hard to break it down for the masses, not only through documentaries, but also through scholarly publications and books like Dr Colin Campbell’s “China Study.”
Dr Campbell’s study reveals that “animal protein and animal fat promote cancer growth, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, high BP.” The World Health Organization concluded in a 2015 comprehensive scientific review that processed meats are in the same category of carcinogens as tobacco and asbestos. Even if one were to run a simple Google search -- “reverse illness plant based” -- they would find publications supporting the idea that a person’s diet can actually reverse chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, high BP, and cholesterol.
The prevalence of plant-based knowledge shows that people want to take matters into their own hands. The more serious one’s health complications, the louder their body is screaming for them to pay attention. Human bodies are immensely powerful and self-sustaining. With the right kind of fuel, there is no limit to how good one can feel, regardless of the diseases and complications they face.
In my experience, members of the older generation don’t like to believe in the power of diet. To them, the word “diet” insinuates restricting food to lose weight. But those same elders are the ones taking 10 pills a day for their long list of health complications, and in many cases, they have been taking those same pills for years.
They say: “I’m too old for a diet to work.” I would ask them to change nothing in their life (including the medication they are taking) except for their meat-based diet, and to see if they notice any difference at all.
More and more companies are investing in meat alternatives. Recipes are no longer restricted by meat and dairy. I have personally tried meat alternatives -- I even made my own cashew cream -- and they were delicious.
Even from personal experience, I can’t promise that no meal I ever have again will contain zero traces of meat or dairy.
But I believe what matters is that I have chosen to educate myself on the topic for my own fitness goals, and I try to remain mindful about the choices I make.
It is not easy, and I am not a full-fledged vegan, but if a plant-based burger can mold the taste, texture, and appearance of pea protein isolates to resemble beef, then anything can be veganized -- including lifestyles.
Rushmila Rahman has a degree in creative writing, and is an intern at the Dhaka Tribune.
