A plant-based lifestyle includes more food from plants than animal sources, and is founded on the values of compassion towards animals, and a lessened environmental impact. Vege Rama believes in building a nourishing and sustainable food culture in order to enrich the vibrant Brisbane community.
The plant-based diet includes (whole) grains, beans and legumes, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. It doesn’t mean strictly vegetarian, as it includes a whole range of eating styles. You can be a vegan who excludes all animal products and advocates more ethical choices – not just in relation to food and diet – or you could have a diet largely based on plants but may include animal sources.

Health
We are experiencing a nutrition and health crisis – whether lack of food, or excess food consumption – we are a common trend: deficit in nutrition. In developing countries, malnutrition is rampant due to lack of resources, while Western countries are overrun by obesity. Malnutrition is a leading cause of obesity, whereby the incorrect foods are replacing a healthy diet.
A plant-based diet can lower cholesterol, reverse diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain cancers. For more information, “The China Study” book is a great resource. At Vege Rama, our vision is to reverse poor health trends and promote a healthy, nutritious lifestyle. Remember to focus on eating whole foods – not processed foods – to ensure optimal benefits from a plant-based diet.

Environment
There are many factors contributing to climate change, and greenhouse gas emissions. Did you know that animal agriculture has a greater impact than the transport industry? Greenhouse gas emissions come from feed production (chemical fertiliser, deforestation, loss of organic soil), animal production (nitrous oxide and methane emissions), and transportation of animal products.
Every time you make a choice – from taking public transport and recycling – this can positively or negatively impact on the people, animals and world around you. The food choices you make are also important. Eating plant-based foods minimises the impact of the livestock industry on our faltering planet. Choose locally-sources and organic plant-based foods to amplify your positive decisions – minimising transport and chemicals needed to grow your food.

Compassion
The treatment of farm animals is horrific, and most people are detached from how food actually arrives on our plates. We at Vege Rama believe that ALL animals deserve our compassion. There are many scientific and evidence-based reasons to eat plant-based, the most important may be in sparing our animal friends from a short life of suffering and misery.

Farm animals are subject to cruel and inhumane practices. Marine animals experience habitat destruction and food depletion due to over-fishing. Wild animals experience many issues with changes in their ecosystem due to agriculture practices including deforestation and agriculture runoff. Choosing a plant-based diet is a wonderful, compassionate choice to lead by example.

With billions of people going hungry every day, relying on plants is also a compassionate choice as citizens of a global community. Crops fed to farm animals are often nutritious foods taken away from poor cultures. Fresh water used for animal agriculture could instead go to the local communities. Not only are animals being spared from suffering, but the resources that would have been used can be used for humans who are already suffering.

Reducing our consumption of animal products starts the process to greatly reduce our impact on over strained resources, and opens an opportunity to redistribute otherwise unavailable resources.

Vege Rama is proud to be part of the movement towards a sustainable future through respect for our environment, our bodies, and our animal friends.