Arnold, Christian

Title:
Proudly Plants: Food for the Mind and Body

Abstract:
The goal of this project was to create a empirically supported plant-based cookbook that explores the relationship between healthy eating and physical wellness, as well as the impact of diet on mental health. The book, entitled Proudly Plants: Food for the Mind and Body, consists of 30 vegan-friendly, plant-based recipes that aim to demystify healthy, delicious, plant-based cooking, supported by current, accredited scientific research. Research suggests that plant-based diets are effective in decreasing risk of chronic illness, improving the function of body systems, and even treating or reversing certain diseases, such as Type-2 Diabetes. The book provides readers with a summary of physiological benefits, explaining why certain foods are healthy and what they do for the body. Each recipe consists of accessible vegan ingredients and simple, step-by-step instructions that help readers feel less intimidated, encouraging readers to begin their wellness journey through a plant-based diet. This project allows people access to practical, easy to understand research in a concise and hands-on format, providing them an opportunity to further explore their relationship with food, and how diet impacts their overall health. By presenting research findings in an oral presentation, information on physiological health and plant-based diets will be further clarified, leaving opportunities for audience members to ask questions about barriers preventing the exploration or implementation of a plant-based diet.