One unexpected side effect of COVID-19 has been its stress on the American meatpacking industry. Tight spaces, small staffs, limited storage spaces, and difficulty adhering to health and safety standards have hit both large and small meat processing plants, resulting in possible shortages and steep price increases on beef, chicken, and pork.
Readers all over the country, trying to feed themselves and their families, are likely asking: What to do?
One answer: Start trying out a plant-based diet!
A completely plant-based or “vegan” diet contains no animal ingredients (including animal-derived ingredients such as milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, honey, and more). But there are several other variations of plant-based diets to choose from, including: pescetarian (which includes fish and shellfish); flexitarian (which occasionally includes meat or poultry); and lacto-ovo vegetarian (which includes dairy and eggs).
Not only can these diets offer health benefits such as a strengthened immune system and reduced inflammation, but they have also been shown to be beneficial for the environment by helping to lower carbon emissions and promote cleaner water and air.
Starting one of these diets may sound daunting at first, but Penguin Random House has a strong list of bestselling cookbooks and guides to help readers get started in a greener world! Standout names in the space include Thug Kitchen, Love and Lemons, Minimalist Baker, and Oh She Glows.
Explore the full collection for more inspiration and happy eating!
