- What’s the difference between plant-based and plant-rich?
- If it’s better to be a vegetarian or vegan, why give so much information on flexitarian options?
- I can’t make all the changes at once, where should I start?
- Is diet change more important than solar, recycling, or other green efforts?
- What is AWFW’s copyright policy?
- What is AWFW’s privacy policy?
What’s the difference between plant-based and plant-rich?
A plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, rice, and other products that can be grown. A plant-based diet is a completely vegetarian diet that doesn’t include any animal products (including eggs or dairy). It is also known as vegan. Ideally, a plant-based diet does not use animals in the production process. A plant-rich diet is primarily plant-based, but may include some animal products (ex: flexitarian or reducetarian).
If it’s better to be a vegetarian or vegan, why give so much information on flexitarian options?
We promote vegan choices so that people have full knowledge of the possibilities and can strive for the maximum benefit. We embrace the positive change that comes from smaller steps. Some people choose reducetarian/flexitarian options while transitioning to a fully plant-based, greener diet. Others choose reduction as the final goal. While they vary in degree, when implemented on a massive scale, both options and eating greener more generally make an immense and immediate impact on food prices, environmental protection, and greenhouse gas reduction.
I can’t make all the changes at once, where should I start?
Eliminating/reducing meat and animal products is the best first step in terms of reducing greenhouse gases and reducing pressure on increasingly scarce food supplies. It can be implemented piecemeal along with other changes to buy organic and local.
If you are committed to only buying local, small farming system meat, note that more than 95% of meat is raised ‘conventionally’ in intensive, factory farmed styles — so the vast majority of restaurant and grocery store animal products should be replaced with plant-based options.
In general, make the lifestyle changes that are easiest first, then add in new improvements as you can. Try Veg has advice on how to transition.
Is diet change more important than solar, recycling, or other green efforts?
In terms of reducing greenhouse gases and feeding the world, diet change is the most powerful act an individual can make (in addition to helping others create change). Diet change also has the benefit of being something that individuals can implement right away. Some technological advances or policy changes are out of individual reach.
But more importantly, there’s no need to choose one option over the other. Diet change is part of the solution, a much-needed and much-neglected part that doesn’t interfere with other campaigns to reduce waste and energy use, advance technology, address population concerns, or pursue other ways to create a better world.
What is AWFW’s Copyright Policy?
As a public-interest, advocacy organization, our primary concern is with disseminating information in a fair and responsible way. As such we have a liberal copyright and sharing policy – just provide A Well-Fed World’s name and website when citing materials. The link below has more details. Please note that other sources referenced on our website will have different copyright and share requirements.
– A Well-Fed World’s work by is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
What is AWFW’s Privacy Policy?
A Well-Fed World does NOT sell or share your information with other parties. E-newsletters and print mailings are free and may be canceled at any time.