Plant Power Day 2024 (US): Plant Power Day is observed annually on March 7 to encourage all individuals to adopt plant-based diets and bring attention to the advantages of sustainable eating. As you may be aware, Alpro and BOSH! established Plant Power Day. Different people can interpret plant-based diets in various ways.
A plant-based diet can be completely vegan (containing no animal-derived products), primarily plant foods, or consist of minimally modified whole plant foods. A plant-based diet, an option for many individuals for centuries, has only recently garnered widespread recognition as a lifestyle choice.
The History of Plant Power Day
The historical development of plant-based diets is intricately linked to veganism, an ideology that originated from vegetarianism. The earliest indications of vegetarianism emerged during the northern and western periods of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, between 3300 and 1300 B.C.
Indian emperors and philosophers, such as Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Mahavira, and Acharya Kundakunda, predominantly adopted this way of life. Prominent figures from ancient Greece and Rome, including Empedocles, Seneca the Younger, Ovid, and Plutarch, adhered to a vegetarian diet.
They argued that considerations of justice, animal welfare, health, and soul transmigration were the driving forces behind this lifestyle choice. all-Ma’arri, an Arab poet, was among the earliest documented vegans. Vegetarianism gained significant popularity as a social movement in both Britain and the United States during the 19th century. The work of professionals who identified as vegetarians served to increase awareness regarding the advantages of adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.
This includes the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in her 1813 book “A Vindication of Natural Diet,” the physician William Lambe, and Sylvester Graham, who in the 1830s in the United States popularized the vegetarian “Graham diet.” Some vegetarian societies and communities emerged during this period. Among them was the United Kingdom Vegetarian Society, which was founded in the 1840s.
Several members petitioned the Vegetarian Society in 1994 to dedicate a section of its newsletter as an ode to non-dairy vegetarianism. Following the denial of the request by the Vegetarian Society, Donald Watson, the secretary of the Leicester branch, launched the newsletter “The Vegan News” in November of that year. Thus, the Vegan Society and the vegan movement, or “veganism,” came into existence. The movement amassed a substantial following among those who consume plant-based foods and oppose animal exploitation.
The term ‘plant-based diet’ was initially introduced by T. Colin Campbell in 1980. This term refers to a diet that places a high priority on health over ethics and is low in fat, high in fiber, and primarily composed of vegetables. Since then, numerous works have defined the term as denoting “vegetarianism,” “semi-vegetarianism,” or “veganism.” To encourage the consumption of more plant-based foods and vegetables, the European company Alpro and the vegan recipe website BOSH! created Plant Power Day in 2018.
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FAQs for Plant Power Day
Which foods are permissible on a plant-based diet?
A plant-based diet primarily comprises the following foods: fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole cereals, legumes, tofu, seeds, bread, and plant-based milk. It is permissible to consume animal products, but only in moderation.
What drawbacks does a plant-based diet entail?
The primary drawback associated with a plant-based diet is the insufficiency of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12, calcium, and iron, in plant products. An additional requirement of a plant-based diet is meal planning and preparation.
Where are the finest plant-based dishes available?
Excellent plant-based dishes are available at the nation’s finest vegan and vegetarian restaurants. This includes Elizabeth’s Gone Raw, Crossroads Kitchen, and Gracias Madre in the United States.
How to Celebrate the Day of Plant Power
Prepare a plant-based dish
Undoubtedly, the most ideal method to observe Plant Power Day is through cooking. A plethora of manuals and recipes are available for those novices to experiment with the plant-based diet. One potential approach to satisfying one’s craving for familiarity is to incorporate plant-based alternatives into select portions of one’s scheduled meals. Tune in to the culinary channels for inspiration.
Promote sustainable lifestyles
Promoting the adoption of sustainable lifestyles by all individuals is critical not only for the collective welfare but also for the long-term viability of flora, fauna, and the Earth. If you have a sizable social media following, you can advocate by composing articles on sustainable living, encouraging your friends and family to adopt that way of life, or volunteering for pertinent organizations.
Dine out on plant-based dishes.
Do you have no faith in your ability to prepare a delectable plant-based dish? To that end, we do indeed have establishments! Each year, new vegan and vegetarian restaurants open, which means that one may be in your area. Vegan or vegetarian restaurants can be located via the Internet or by consulting ‘Yelp.’ To optimize one’s experience, accompany a family member or acquaintance who has an affinity for plant-based cuisine.
Five fascinating vegetarianism facts
Most return within a year to meat.
A study by the U.S. Humane Research Council found that approximately 84% of individuals who adopt a vegetarian lifestyle revert to meat consumption within a year.
More so than non-vegetarians, vegans despise vegetarians.
In comparison to non-vegetarians, vegans are less tolerant of vegetarians because they believe that vegetarians undermine their anti-meat campaign.
Vegetarians are permitted to consume flesh.
A vegetarian is an individual who, in contrast to vegans, consumes an exclusively plant-based diet without being precluded from consuming meat.
Vegetarians are vulnerable to deficiencies in vitamin B12.
Folic acid, which is exclusively found in meat, fish, and dairy products, increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in vegetarians who consume a plant-based diet devoid of animal products.
Fruitarians are vegetarian extremists.
Fruitarians are potentially hazardous to their health as they consume only nuts, seeds, and fruits while remaining vegetarian.
PLANT POWER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March 7 | Thursday |
| 2025 | March 7 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 7 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 7 | Sunday |
| 2028 | March 7 | Tuesday |
