As ‘April 5th Arbor Day’ is celebrated, various efforts to harmonize with nature are being highlighted. ‘Eco-friendly diet’ is emerging as a representative example that promotes both environmental protection and health.
Actor Yoon Eun-hye recently showcased a diet recipe using vegetables on her YouTube channel. In her recent video, she cooked ‘eggplant truffle cream risotto’ and explained the diet benefits of eggplant. She pressed the eggplant with a rolling pin to remove air until it became soft, seasoned it with salt, pepper, and olive oil, grilled it, filled it with truffle cream risotto, and grilled it again.
Yoon Eun-hye emphasized the benefits of eggplant by saying, “Just grilling eggplant is very good for the body.” Indeed, eggplant is low in calories, with 17-20 kcal per 100g, and its 95% water content provides a sense of fullness and is effective for weight control. Additionally, the purple skin of eggplants is rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help prevent aging and cardiovascular diseases. It is also high in vitamin E, potassium, and dietary fiber, making it effective in preventing constipation and controlling blood pressure.
When cooking eggplants, using olive oil can enhance the antioxidant effect, which Yoon Eun-hye actively used. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, which improve cholesterol levels and are beneficial for vascular health. Truffles add flavor to the dish with their unique aroma and are rich in dietary fiber, enhancing the diet effect.
The core of an eco-friendly diet is to reduce the proportion of meat and practice a plant-based diet. According to a report by researchers at Oxford University’s Martin School, if the global population adopts a vegetarian diet, emissions from the food sector could be reduced by 60%, and by 70% if switching to a full vegan diet. This indicates how severe carbon emissions and environmental pollution are in meat production processes.
A plant-based diet has also shown significant health effects. A research team in Copenhagen, Denmark compared a typical diet with a plant-based diet among 800 people for 12 weeks, and found that the vegetarian group lost an average of 7.4 kg and reduced their body mass index (BMI) more significantly. This is attributed to restricting the intake of animal fats and proteins.
Dr. Kim Jung-eun of 365mc stated, “Even if you’re not vegan, you can see sufficient effects by practicing a plant-based protein diet once a week,” and advised, “It’s good to supplement protein with foods like tofu, natto, yam, oats, and almonds.”
Meanwhile, there are various methods to practice an eco-friendly diet beyond dietary choices. Traveling short distances by bicycle not only reduces carbon emissions but also provides aerobic exercise benefits. Dr. Kim Jung-eun explained, “Using a bicycle for commuting is an effective way to secure aerobic exercise time for office workers.”
