With one simple switch, you can upgrade your breakfast to maximize your health. Dr. Kate Geagan tells us all about the switch to plant proteins.
If you want to eat better this fall but are unsure of where to start, try swapping animal protein for plant-based options a few times a week. This small change can have significant payoffs when it comes to health and longevity. In a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that when it comes to protein, replacing just 3 percent of animal protein for plant protein led to a 10 percent lower risk of death from heart disease.
Another key finding: swapping different animal proteins led to greater reductions in risk. The biggest risk reduction came from replacing eggs for plant protein (a 20 percent reduction), followed by beef (a 13 percent reduction). While this is just a single study, it builds on a well-established body of evidence showing the power of plant-based diets to promote health and longevity.
A plant-based egg
There are plenty of nourishing and delicious ways you can reimagine your first, most important meal of the day. One of my favorites is to stock the fridge with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, all-natural nut butters, hearty whole grains, and plant-based eggs (a new but fast-growing category).
One widely available product, that’s in both the egg case and the freezer section of your local supermarket, is JUST Egg. Packing seven grams of sustainable plant protein per serving, it looks, cooks, and tastes just like the real thing. On busy mornings, the toaster-ready folded JUST Egg is perfect for tucking in a whole grain tortilla with fresh salsa and avocado, or creating a better-for-you breakfast sandwich. As a nutrition expert, I’m a big lover of plant proteins found in nuts, seeds, and beans. These are incredibly healthy and healing foods, and we should welcome more of them onto our plates. But experience has taught me that we need other tools to help make positive change, too. As a culture filled with many who covet the meat, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich, how can we create a better one? Brands like JUST Egg show us how easy it is to eat better. A nutritious, plant-based breakfast for our bodies and for the planet never tasted so good.
This article has been paid for by JUST Egg.
