Campaign calls for non-vegetarians to adopt predominantly plant-based diet for 31 days

Bucheon: Green Spoon, the youth arm of the Malaysian Vegetarian Society, is encouraging 2,300 people to switch to a plant-based diet for 31 days from January through the ‘myVeganuari’ campaign.

Its project director, Faisal Mansoor, said the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about food choices that are impacting the world’s population and environment.

“Today, everyone seems to have a good understanding of the impact of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on our planet. However, most of us do not understand the link between food choices and GHG emissions. not.

“Unfortunately, livestock farming is the largest contributor to GHG emissions into the atmosphere, and gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are known to be more harmful and deadly than carbon dioxide,” he said. told the Sun recently.

Faisal said the increasing dependence and demand for animal products and livestock in recent years has contributed to climate change.

“According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we will not meet the Paris Agreement (also known as the Paris Agreement) goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions unless we change our diets and choices.

Lean meats, poultry, and eggs (livestock produce) are high in protein, but have negative effects, such as high fat and cholesterol content, and are associated with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, says Faisal.

According to Faisal, veganism is scientifically proven to protect people from NCDs. He said the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that a plant-based diet can lower his risk of developing an NCD.

“Within a week of starting a vegan diet, bowel movements are more comfortable and bloating is reduced. After a month, you feel more energetic and less lethargic and sluggish.”

“For some people who suffer from sensitive or acne-prone skin, especially due to dairy consumption, it has been medically proven that practicing a vegetarian diet for just a few weeks can reduce acne. increase.

According to Faisal, myVeganuari is an invitation for non-vegetarians and non-vegetarians to adopt a predominantly plant-based diet.

“At the end of the challenge, our goal for the 2,300 participants who committed to be vegan for a month was to save 90 megalitres of water, the equivalent of 36 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and 25 football fields. Helps protect land the size of which is used for animal husbandry 1 megaliter equals 1 million liters.

“Even with a small number of pledgers, eating plant-based food for 31 days could save Malaysia RM1.7 million in lost productivity from NCDs.”

Although vegetarianism is common in Malaysia, where 5% of the population is vegetarian, Faisal said vegetarianism is fairly new, so “2,300 is the current measure of success.”

“In this year’s myVeganuari campaign, 561 people pledged to go vegan. We are currently pushing 2,300 pledges.”

According to Faisal, myVeganuari 2023 features a Malaysian vegan recipe book with more than 100 recipes by local chefs and social influencers, offering vegan restaurants and discounts on food and non-food items. Includes promotions, tips from experienced vegans for beginners.

“We also plan fun events such as vegan picnics, Chinese New Year potlucks, food bazaars, movie screenings with college students, and weekly prize giveaways.”

Faisal added that plant-based diets are slightly less expensive than omnivorous diets that contain ingredients of both plant and animal origin.

“For self-catering, 500g of vegetable protein such as tofu, tempeh, lentils or chickpeas is more cost effective than the same weight of meat, poultry, fish or eggs.

“When dining out, vegan food at vegan-only restaurants is significantly more expensive than places that serve meat.”