Tag: plant-based proteins

Do You Eat Plant-Based Protein to Help Sustain Planet Earth?

Published on by Nikken

How many of you eat veggie burgers? Have you discovered the versatility of tofu? Are you trying to eat a “plantcentric” diet? Are you aware of your carbon footprint?

Food’s carbon footprint, or foodprint, is the greenhouse gas emissions produced by growing, rearing, farming, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing of the food you eat. Transport, housing and food have the three largest carbon footprints. Food produces about eight tons of emissions per households or about 17% of the total. Worldwide, new reports suggest that livestock agriculture produces around half of all man-made emissions.1

Meat, cheese and eggs have the highest carbon footprint. Fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts have much lower carbon footprints. If you move towards a mainly vegetarian diet, you can have a large impact on your personal carbon footprint.2 It can help reduce pollution, preserve the environment and slow global warming. Many of these changes may also save you money, improve your health and even keep you fit!

Consumer knowledge about carbon footprints, sustainable products and maintaining an Active Wellness lifestyle has contributed to the explosive growth of the market for plant-based protein. With carbohydrates and fats, there is ongoing debate about their pros and cons. With protein, the general perception is that not only is it necessary for maintaining health but it can also improve overall well-being. This generally held belief adds to the growing popularity of plant-based proteins.

From children to seniors, the entire range of ages is joining body builders in recognizing the importance of eating enough protein but many do not want to eat meat. According to “The Protein Report: Meat Alternatives” that was published in January 2017, roughly 66 percent of U.S. consumers believe meat alternatives are healthier than meat.3 And it’s the younger generation that is leading the way: according to the February 2016 report entitled “Food Formulation and Ingredient Trends: Plant Proteins” from Packaged Facts, millennials are the top age group cutting down on meat consumption, primarily due to social consciousness about health, the environment and animal welfare.4

Plant-based proteins find their way into beverages as well as food in the form of snacks, nutritional supplements and meat replacements. Protein powders that used to be consumed largely by athletes have now made their way into the mainstream diet. Pea protein is found in 80% of plant protein powders because it has been found to deliver high marks both in taste and nutrition. 5

Since 2013, Kenzen® Vital Balance Meal Replacement Mix has been a trendsetter with its formula of high-protein, plant-based organic pea powder. Easily made into a shake or smoothie when combined with PiMag® water, plant-based milk or dairy milk, KVB in more recent years has taken quality to an even higher level by producing an improved version sweetened with zero-calorie monkfruit, KVB also helps planet Earth by using organic ingredients. Organic farming methods have a much lower impact on the environment than conventional methods, because it requires natural methods for soil fertilization, weed prevention and pest control. Organic ingredients cannot be genetically-modified or irradiated, processes which are not proven to be safe for the food chain.

Take advantage of our special on chocolate Kenzen Vital Balance® at 33% discount—Get 3 for the price of 2!

 

1, 2  http://www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html

3, 4, 5 https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/functional-foodsbeverages/plant-based-protein-market-deep-dive

More Plants, Less Meat = Better Health, Greener Planet

Published on by Nikken

As we become more educated about healthy eating and reducing our carbon footprint, more and more of us are starting to eat a plant-based diet. Retail food outlets and restaurants are well aware of this trend, resulting in more plant-based options than ever before.

According to information compiled by GlobalData, a data and insights firm, more than 70 percent of global consumers are moderating their meat intake or avoiding it altogether. People around the world are leaning towards vegetarianism or at least a desire to reduce meat consumption, if not to eliminate it entirely. In the past, especially in third world nations, meat was not affordable. Now, in first world nations, eating less meat is no longer simply a matter of cost but of health.

The benefits of eating a plant-based diet extend past just health and sustainability. In fact, plant-based proteins can be as nutritious as meat but contain far less fat. Plant protein requires much less water and energy to produce than livestock or poultry. As a consequence, companies are producing innovative plant-based “complete” proteins and supplements. These innovative plant proteins are an ideal part of an Active Wellness lifestyle. Examples are pea protein powder, bean based burgers, and nut-based cheese.

Whatever the reason for decreasing or cutting out animal products, increasing plant-based, nutrient-rich whole foods into our diets often results in eating less processed foods, which are generally full of preservatives and unhealthy ingredients commonly found in bacon, cold cuts, dried meats, canned meats, etc. The good news is that plant-based proteins are easily accessible. Legumes are widely known to provide high amounts of protein, e.g., organic tofu, lentils, black beans, lima beans, organic peas, chickpeas and so on. Nuts and seeds— such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds—are also known sources of protein.

Some surprising sources of plant-based proteins are potatoes, spinach, organic corn, avocado, broccoli and brussel sprouts. Even less known but considered superfoods by nutritionists for their nutrient density and high protein content are organic barley grass and organic algae such as spirulina and chlorella.

Nikken continues to be a pioneer in organic nutrition. One of our first organic nutritional supplements contains multiple benefits other than providing plant-based protein: Kenzen Jade Greenzymes® is made with a proprietary blend of organic young barley grass, organic acacia and organic pearl barley.

For weight maintenance, convenience and a plant-protein boost, there’s nothing better than Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix! Our exclusive formula contains plant proteins from organic peas, organic moringa powder, organic spirulina, organic chlorella, organic broccoli, organic spinach and organic rice. Why not drink a toast to our collective health and planet every morning?