Diets

More and more people are finding out how powerful food can be as a way to optimize health and contribute to a healthier world. In 2023, the Food Revolution Network both benefited from and contributed to this emerging zeitgeist. Here are some of the ways we made an impact in 2023.

Weight loss is often an on-again, off-again goal for many people, driven by societal trends and individual wellness goals. But recent developments in weight loss solutions have sparked renewed interest, with semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy emerging as game changers in the industry. These medications, originally designed for managing diabetes, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in promoting weight loss. But are they safe? And could there be drug-free ways to achieve similar results?

The alkaline diet has been around for a while. And it presents a compelling theory about your body and health: that the food you eat determines the pH of your blood, and that a low pH causes all sorts of health problems. The good news is the alkaline diet promotes the consumption of many of the healthiest foods. The bad news is that it does so for some questionable reasons. So what’s useful about the alkaline diet, and where does it diverge from research-backed evidence?

People who are die-hard meat lovers aren’t always open to going plant-based, even if it could benefit their health in some way. And oftentimes, if you try to convince them otherwise, that can actually fuel their reluctance and resistance. So what can you do to help the people in your life embrace healthier food options and gradually shift toward a more plant-based lifestyle?

In a recent study, researchers compared the amount of meat and other animal products in subjects’ diets with the environmental impact of their food choices. Find out why plant-based diets have such a smaller impact on land, water, and other sustainability measures. And what the global impact could be of choosing to eat less meat.

Carnivore diets have moved from the extreme fringe into increasing prominence in parts of the nutrition and wellness world. These zero-carb diets contradict pretty much every mainstream nutritional theory. Yet their proponents claim an impressive and comprehensive array of benefits, from weight loss to remission of autoimmune disease to improved psychological health. So what does science say about the pros and cons of living almost exclusively on meat?

Strong muscles aren’t just for athletes, bodybuilders, and actors in superhero movies. Building and maintaining muscle mass as you age is critical for your overall health. Aside from the obvious benefit of being able to move your body, strong muscles can protect against metabolic disorders and even lower the risk of dementia. So what are the best ways to build muscle? What’s the role of exercise and food? And is it really possible to get and stay strong if you don’t eat animal products?

Changing your diet is difficult enough. But sometimes it’s just as difficult to find support from others when you no longer eat the way they do. In this article, relationship coach Veronica Monet discusses how she navigates feelings of loneliness as a plant-based eater. And why it’s important to eat together even when we eat different foods.

Eczema is a common skin disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the causes and effective treatments for eczema remain elusive. So why do people develop the condition in the first place? What triggers symptoms? How can flares be prevented? And might a plant-based diet provide relief for eczema sufferers?

Lysine is an essential amino acid that’s crucial for optimal health and well-being. It possesses antiviral properties and also contributes to muscle building, bone health, skin vitality, and brain function. But there’s some debate about whether plant-based eaters get enough of this vital nutrient. How much lysine do you need? And is it possible to meet this requirement on a plant-based diet?

Have you been curious about plant-based eating but unsure where to start? Or perhaps you have successfully made some plant-based meals, but haven’t yet ventured beyond what you know. In this How to Cook series article, we review our top ten tips (plus a bonus tip!) to getting started — or progressing — in a plant-based kitchen.

The explosive growth of plant-based eating in recent times can make it easy to forget that many cultures around the world have long and vibrant plant-based traditions. Where in the world do people enjoy plant-based cuisine as part of their culture and heritage? And what do the world’s most historically plant-based cultures have to teach the rest of us?