From June 15 to 21, diners across the world have been challenged to take up a plant-based diet, for at least a week. Identified as ‘World Meat Free Week’, the seven days are intended to prompt people into thinking about the economic and environmental effects of all the meat they consume.
With coronavirus and its consequences, NHS professionals are worried that post Covid-19, it will be business as usual and there has never been a more crucially important time to increase our understanding of our food choices and their impact on our health. UK medical training simply does not reflect the vital role nutrition plays in our health and wellbeing. UK doctors receive just 20 hours’ nutrition training in five years.
On 28 May, over 200 NHS doctors signed an open letter to the UK government urging promotion of plant-based diets. In the letter they said, “We, NHS doctors and staff, are writing to urge NHS leaders and the Government to pass bold post-Covid-19 legislation to allow for rapid, nationwide changes to the obesogenic and unsustainable food environment in which we currently live. This environment has added to the UK’s Covid-19 pandemic death toll.
“As healthcare professionals we are concerned that business will restart as usual after the pandemic. It is not acceptable that the NHS is collapsing under the burden of chronic diseases, the majority of which could be prevented and treated by addressing diet and lifestyle factors. We are willing to take on the task of shifting the NHS focus from a reactive healthcare system to one that promotes health and prevents chronic illness. However, this action needs to be fully embraced by NHS leaders and the Government, who should now place the nation’s long-term health at the centre of their policy.”
They have also proposed 6-point solutions, that includes ban on junk food advertising, further taxation and cessation of subsidies for junk food, fast food or soft drink producers as well as industrial animal farming among others.
Dr Nitu Bajekal MD FRCOG, Women’s Health Expert, Lifestyle Medicine Physician and Founder of Women for Women’s Health told Asian Voice, “Research shows if you are South Asian, you are more likely to develop heart disease than white Europeans and more likely to carry weight around your middle, increasing your risk of Type 2 diabetes. A plant-based diet has been shown to add not just years to our lives but those years tend to be lived out much healthier. Health span and not just life span.
“Adopting an anti-inflammatory whole food plant-based diet (WFPB) helps with both short term and long-term health. Focus on eating a plant strong diet, full of colourful micronutrient and antioxidant rich vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, sweet potatoes and minimally processed whole grains. Add some nuts and seeds and plenty of immunity boosting herbs and spices, with water as the drink of choice. This way of eating is rich in fibre, helping to promote healthy gut bacteria which in turn reduces lifestyle diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as dementia, through complex mechanisms.
“Avoid a diet high in trans fats, salt, oils, and sugar, which are found in junk and ultra-processed foods (biscuits/cakes/fried foods) as they promote inflammation.
“Avoid saturated fats found almost exclusively in animal products (eggs, dairy, fish, chicken, and red meat), which along with the hormones, insulin growth factor, pesticides, and antibiotics, promote oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, the basis of chronic ill health. (The less processed a food is, the better it is for you. Adding in exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and maintaining normal body weight all can help us to be healthy).
“Fibre rich whole plant foods can be more affordable and sustainable. My advice is to shop in bulk and in season. The diet that is kindest to our bodies turns out to be the kindest to animals and our planet.”
