· by ajstein.bsky.social ·10h ago · view on bsky.app ↗

Madre Brava – Better for wallets, wellbeing and healthcare – new study reveals the benefits of plant-forward diets in Germany (madrebrava.org)

Our new study reveals that switching to a healthy, sustainable diet can deliver a double dividend for Germany.

A 2-person household could save 1,300 €/year by switching to a healthy, #sustainable diet: A typical shopping basket in Germany costs 25 €/week more than one aligned with the largely #plantbased Planetary Health Diet (PHD). Healthy #diets could also lead to… www.madrebrava.org/latest/bette... +

#diets #plantbased #sustainable

2 comments — live from bluesky

GN · 1 · 9h ago

Are there good, comprehensive resources for the many people who deal with intolerances to beans and other plant-based protein sources? Vegan diets are very challenging for these folks; I worry they’ll just give up.

Alexander J. Stein · 0 · 9h ago

Allergies to animal proteins are more common (egg 0.8%, cow milk 0.3%, shellfish 0.1%, fish 0.02%) than allergies to plant proteins (soy 0.3%, peanut 0.1%, tree nuts 0.04%), so carnist diets are more challenging to more people. doi.org/10.1111/all.... ...

Alexander J. Stein · 0 · 9h ago

... Also allergies are usually food-specific (or sometimes extend to a subset of related foods), but there is no general intolerance to “plant proteins”. People with allergies know best what they can and cannot eat from the wide range of plant protein sources that are available.

GN · 1 · 8h ago

I recall the term now: FODMAP. Sugars and starches, not proteins. In my experience, this and other unexplained sensitivities make it difficult to rely on most meat and dairy alternatives that people propose — such as beans and soybeans.

GN · 0 · 8h ago

… and unless Beano happens to work for the individual, enzyme supplements are often prohibitively costly to experiment with and then use constantly. The group of people impacted by this is large and this obstacle is significant for them.

Alexander J. Stein · 0 · 6h ago

FODMAPs are linked to irritable bowel syndrome, but often cause only modest symptoms (doi.org/10.1093/ajcn...). And less than 10% suffer from IBS (doi.org/10.1007/s106...) and of these only 1/3 (i.e. 3% of total) have symptoms linked to beans/lentils—but 50% have problems with dairy and others…

Alexander J. Stein · 0 · 6h ago

… with salami or pork (doi.org/10.1038/ajg....). So FODMAP sensitivity is not a specific plant-protein problem; it also varies according to preparation (e.g. firm tofu and many soy products are different from whole soybeans) and to the individual food (e.g. nuts & seeds work, even if beans don't)…

GN · 0 · 1h ago

Not a plant-protein problem: I did not say it was. I said many have issues with those foods, not those proteins.

tatilujan.bsky.social · 1 · 2h ago

I can't eat pulses, but I can eat tofu. Something in the processing makes it digestible. I am not vegan, but tofu has helped me a lot to reduce my consumption of animal products. Sometimes it's better to aim for improvement rather than perfection

GN · 0 · 1h ago

I generally soon regret eating anything soy-based, though I can get away with a little. Haven’t had the courage to just chow down on tofu, but have done OK with it in stews on occasion. Reading of others’ FODMAP issues has taught me that people have remarkably unique digestive experiences.

Alexander J. Stein · 0 · 6h ago

Again, it's not a large group of people, animal products can be just as bad (or worse), and among the range of plant protein sources there are foods & preparations that will work (not least because FODMAP is also dose-dependent). You just make up stuff to say it's too difficult to eat plant-based.

GN · 0 · 1h ago

That last sentence is an unjust assumption. I asked for resources for those like myself, not for accusations. My own attempts to substitute more plant-based foods have been disappointing. Some of the most convenient options are not open to me. I will continue experimenting without your assistance.

Alexander J. Stein · 2 · 10h ago

… 2 additional healthy life years per person. If Germans embraced the PHD, they could save 50 billion €/year direct & indirect healthcare #costs. But consumers are limited by decisions made by #supermarkets, incl. what’s on offer—responsibility for their diets cannot be placed on #consumers alone.