It’s Easy Being Green

Adding more plants to your diet will boost your health.

Photo courtesy of Founding Farmers

Cauliflower steak at Founding Fathers.

Thanks to celebrity advocates and a new interest among young people, following a plant-based diet is more popular then ever. Even if you don’t want to swear off meat entirely, a 2017 study published in JAMA showed that replacing just 3 percent of the animal protein you eat with plant protein can help lower your risk of death from any cause by 19 percent. The good news is, eating more plant-based meals is easier than ever, even at restaurants. Most now have tasty, interesting meatless choices on their menus.

At Founding Farmers in Reston and McLean, the cauliflower steak with mushroom risotto, broccolini, and a tomato-cider glaze provides a filling meal. Craving some comfort food? Busboys & Poets in Arlington serves a crispy vegan “chicken” sandwich, made with soy protein, lettuce, tomato, serrano pepper, and roasted garlic aioli on a brioche bun. For a serving of seeds, try the inside-out quinoa burger at True Food Kitchen, made with hummus, tzatziki, tomato, butter lettuce, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and feta. 

You’ll be surprised by the many flavorful foods, tasty desserts, and healthy snacks you can eat on a plant-based diet.

WeAreFoundingFathers.com, BusboysAndPoets.com, TrueFoodKitchen.com