The word “diet” can mean many different things; however, the term “dieting” is often associated with fad diets, weight loss, yo-yoing weight, and/or restriction. Unfortunately, fad diets often lead to unstable fluctuations in weight and unhealthy relationships with food. Here at Simply Sustainable, it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle, and that’s because we work together to create lifestyle changes that help promote sustainable behavior change, healthy and sustainable weight loss, weight maintenance, mindful eating practices, and positive food relationships. The beautiful thing about being human is that we all have our own unique goals and needs based on our lifestyle. As a Registered Dietitian and as your nutrition coach, I aim to help you create sustainable lifestyle changes that meet your goals, without compromising your favorite foods or engaging in exhausting calorie counting. Let’s face it, life comes in waves and everyone experiences stress from time to time. By working together and pin-pointing lifestyle factors that may be affecting your nutrition, we can make sustainable lifestyle choices that stick!
Increasing evidenced-based research has found that a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle can decrease an individual’s risk for many preventable and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and several different forms of cancer. Diet is the leading predictor of chronic disease risk. The CDC estimates that eliminating poor diet, inactivity and smoking would prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke, 80% of type 2 diabetes and 40% of cancer. Large populations studies have shown that in Blue Zones , where people predominately eat plants, individuals experience less diseases, live longer and stay healthier while aging. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the United States, it is vital for healthcare professionals to focus on lifestyle changes to decrease these alarming rates of disease we are witnessing today. Research has shown that plant-based diets in combination with healthy lifestyle habits can prevent and even reverse heart disease! By incorporating more whole, plant-based foods onto your plate, you will be able to reach your unique goals to become the healthiest version of you, decrease your risk for chronic disease and support a healthier planet. Learn more about how you can work with Morgan to implement these changes into your daily life here.
Many people ask this question, and the simple answer is no. While participating in a 100% whole foods, plant-based or vegan lifestyle has one of the largest impacts on creating a healthier environment, it does not mean that everyone has to eat this way to create sustainable change. Simple and small changes in your lifestyle can create more change than one would think. According to Earth Day Network , if the entire United States did not eat meat or cheese just for one day a week, it would be the same as saving 91 billion miles driven by car or taking 7.6 million cars off the road- that is incredible! While we know that not everyone is going to engage in Meatless Mondays, making one small change in your lifestyle can contribute to a healthier you and planet. Using lengthy evidenced-based research and through six years of professional schooling in the field of nutrition, I have found that the best foods for out health, are also the best foods for our planet. There is a lot of power from just incorporating more plants on your plate! You have the power to create a difference in not only your health, but also the future health of our environment. Never underestimate your contribution!