A well-planned, whole food plant-based diet is widely recognised to be health-promoting and achievable for all. It's the only diet proven to reverse heart disease–the leading cause of death in Australia and the world. It can also be effective in preventing, treating and even reversing other deadly diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Plant foods are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds provides the protein, calcium and other essential nutrients your body needs. These foods are affordable too. It's important to include a reliable source of vitamin B12 in your diet with a daily supplement or fortified foods like breakfast cereals, plant milks and nutritional yeast. 

The benefits of adopting a vegan diet extend beyond individual health. The way that society raises and eats animals today has profound consequences on public health. According to the United Nations, the two greatest threats to humans are climate change and infectious disease. The crowded and stressful conditions in factory farms are breeding grounds for all types of bacteria and viruses, including respiratory disorders like SARS and bird flu. In order to stop the next pandemic, food systems need to shift away from animal products.