EATING GREEN

WHAT DOES PLANT-BASED MEAN ANYWAY?

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

We’re standing in the Walgreens drink aisle when my daughter asks me what plant-based means and I’m stumped. The fruity Bai drinks that I’ve been buying recently have all proclaimed themselves to be plant-based, but shouldn’t they be anyway?

And with that, I am set off on a journey of curiosity to discover what it is that makes Watamu Strawberry Watermelon Bai Boost a plant-based drink when it only has 1% fruit juice. And, moreover, what does this term mean as a whole.

The term has been noted in the online “Words We’re Watching” column by the venerable Merriam-Webster organization. It’s not yet included in the dictionary of the same name. Merriam-Webster notes in the column that although the first known use of the word was in the mid-1970s, it’s still evolving toward a definition. “In subsequent decades plant-based has come to be employed in a looser fashion by many people. In many instances it can be difficult to say why speakers choose to distinguish between vegan and plant-based; possible reasons include a perceived animus toward vegans, or the desire to be semantically precise,” Merriam-Webster wrote.

Since it’s being used as a marketing term for foods, I decided to dig a little deeper on this by reaching out to the University of Maine.

“The origins came out of vegetarianism which for the most part encourages the consumption of plants,” said Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine.

Plant-based foods are those that come from plants, like fruits, vegetables, beans and grains, and also those that are derived from plants, like meat alternatives and the drinks I’ve been buying, Camire said.

A plant-based diet is one that relies on these foods. Similar to veganism, folks eat legumes, vegetables, grains, fruits and more, as well as non-meat alternatives. However, plant-based diets may be a little more broad than vegan diets, including things like honey and bee pollen, which are not vegan because they are bee-products.

And there are indeed more foods labeled as plant-based, she said.

“Silicon Valley investors want to do good with their money,” Camire said. That’s why plant-based meats and cheeses have been getting more space on the shelves. “It’s been great for the food science industry … in terms of product development and being able to mimic animal food.”

If you are interested in trying plant-based foods, the most important thing though is knowing what you are eating.

For instance, meat alternatives are among plant-based foods that are highly processed. Also, plant-based doesn’t necessarily mean good for you.

Camire suggests reading the label to see what’s in whatever you’re eating. Watch out for things like higher amounts of sodium.

If you are interested in eating more plantbased proteins, you can also consider the more natural ones that vegetarians have been enjoying for years like anything in the bean family (soy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans, etc), nuts and even some grains. It’s a particularly good idea to eat rice and beans together — the pair provides well-rounded nutrition, Camire said.

Look for locally grown beans at co-ops and farmers markets. Beans grow well in Maine, Camire said. This is also good for the environment since the beans won’t have to travel as far to become your food.

“Eating is not a risk-free activity. So the more informed consumers can be, the better off they and their families will be,” Camire said.