Change of seasons is good time to change bad eating habits

Where is global warming when we need it? I looked forward to the first day of spring, balmy weather, and flowers in bloom.

Early spring is a perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf in our personal habits - to clean house, to jog outdoors, and to replace animal foods with healthy, delicious vegetables, legumes, grains, and fruits.

The shift toward healthy eating is everywhere. Fast-food chains like Chipotle, Quiznos, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy's offer plant-based options. Parade, Better Homes and Gardens, and Eating Well are touting vegan recipes.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt views replacement of meat by plant protein as the world's No. 1 technical trend. The financial investment community is betting on innovative start-ups like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods, while warning clients about “death of meat.” Even Tyson Foods new CEO sees plant protein as the meat industry's future.

Indeed, Global Meat News reports that nearly half of consumers are reducing meat intake. Beef consumption has dropped by 43 percent in the past 40 years.

Each of us can celebrate spring by checking out the rich collection of plant-based dinners and desserts in our supermarket's frozen food, dairy, and produce sections.

This story was originally published April 1, 2017 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Change of seasons is good time to change bad eating habits."