Whether it’s due to health concerns, ethics or sustainability, American diets are changing. While only 6% of Americans are vegetarian and 3% vegan, almost 40% are shifting toward eating more plant-based foods, according to a 2018 Nielsen Report.

A plant based diet focuses on plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, which should make up the majority of what you eat.

Eating whole-grain foods like bulgur, may lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. It’s a good source of fiber, protein, iron and vitamin B-6.

The high fiber content in bulgur wheat, along with the exclusion of processed foods, is a winning combination for shedding excess pounds. Not only can making dietary and lifestyle changes facilitate weight loss, it can have a lasting a impact on health.

“Shifting toward more plant-based foods is trending,” said Caitlin Mellendorf, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator and registered dietitian. “In the research, we see regularly the reiteration that people who eat more produce have better health,” stated in a March 2020 article by Agrinews. Nutritional research shows that diets centered around plant-based foods reduce risks of health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer and obesity.