In a report released this week, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee endorses a plant-based diet for optimal health. The strongest pro-vegetarian recommendation to date, the report also points to disease prevention and environmental sustainability as reasons to adopt a meat-free diet. According to the federal committee, “The major findings regarding sustainable diets were that a diet higher in plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and lower in calories and animal-based foods is more health promoting and is associated with less environmental impact than is the current U.S. diet.” The 571-page report—which is open for public comment for 45 days—will become the basis for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

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