Kids & Company Blog

Benefits of Plant-Based Meals

At Kids & Company, healthy food is at the heart of everything we do. Through the Kidco Kitchen, we’re always looking for ways to create balanced meals that fuel children with energy, nurture healthy habits, and spark curiosity around new foods. We are excited to introduce more plant-based meals into our new fall menu, not only because they’re delicious and nutritious, but also because they’re kinder to the environment. Plant-based foods typically use fewer resources to produce and create lower carbon emissions compared to animal-based foods, meaning every small shift in what we eat helps reduce our collective impact on the planet. At Kids & Company, we know that the foods we choose today shape the health of both our children and our planet tomorrow. 

The Kidco Kitchen's New Fall Menu  

This season in our centres, the Kidco Kitchen is excited to launch our new fall menu, filled with nutritious, flavourful, and planet-friendly options. Children have the option for five plant-based alternatives each week, at parent-request. In addition, the kitchen has integrated five meatless meals for all children across our four-week rotation, so every child gets the chance to enjoy the benefits of plant-based eating. We also have a variety of plant-based snacks daily including a wide range of fruits and vegetables served in fun creative ways such as pumpkin patch spread and cosmic carrot dip! 

By weaving more plant-based meals into our fall menu, we’re helping families support their children’s health while also making a positive impact on the environment. 

The Meatless Monday Challenge 

Each year, Kids & Company employees take part in the Meatless Monday Challenge—a fun way to discover new plant-based meals while raising awareness about sustainability. By swapping out just one meat-based meal a week, the impact really adds up. For example, if every Canadian family went meatless one day a week, it would be the equivalent of taking millions of cars off the road in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 

We encourage families to join the challenge at home! Pick a month and commit to trying a new meatless recipe every Monday. Not only will you broaden your family’s palate, but you’ll also be helping reduce environmental impacts, one meal at a time. 

Need inspiration? Some of our favourites from the Kidco Kitchen include: 

• Chickpea Pot Pie 

• Marvellous Tofu Mac n’ Cheese 

• Bean Burrito Bowls 

Check out the Kidco Kitchen website for even more planet-friendly recipe ideas. 

 

Environmental Benefits   

One of the most powerful benefits of eating more plant-based meals is the positive impact on the environment. Research shows that plant-based foods generally have a smaller environmental footprint than animal-based foods because: 

• They require less water to grow 

• They use less land and resources 

• They create fewer greenhouse gas emissions 

For example, producing beans or lentils requires a fraction of the water and energy needed to produce beef. By choosing plant-based meals more often, families can significantly lower their carbon footprint and help protect the environment for future generations. Even small shifts, like swapping meat for chickpeas once a week, can add up to meaningful environmental change when adopted by many families. 

Health Benefits 

Plant-based foods are naturally rich in fibre, a nutrient many Canadians fall short on, and fibre is key to supporting digestion, managing cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar levels steady. Unlike animal foods, which contain no fibre, plant foods like beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains provide the nourishment our bodies need.  

The Heart & Stroke Foundation notes that plant-forward diets can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers. By simply adding more plant-based meals to your family’s routine, you could be setting the stage for lifelong health benefits. 

 

Recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide 

Canada’s Food Guide also highlights the dual benefits of eating more plant-based foods. It recommends choosing plant-based proteins more often because they provide more fibre and less saturated fat than animal-based proteins, supporting better heart health. 

Following the guide’s “Eat Well Plate” is simple: 

• Fill ½ your plate with vegetables and fruits (plants!) 

• Fill ¼ of your plate with whole grains (plants!) 

• Fill the remaining ¼ with protein-rich foods (plant- or animal-based) 

This approach doesn’t require giving up meat entirely. Instead, it encourages families to enjoy more plant-based foods like chickpeas, lentils, tofu, and peanut butter, while still making room for the occasional favourite, like a juicy steak. 

Read more about the Canadian Food Guide here. 

 

Eating more plant-based meals is about balance, variety, and creativity. Whether it’s through our Kidco Kitchen fall menu, the Meatless Monday Challenge, or simply trying a new bean or veggie dish at home, small changes can make a big impact on your health and the planet. 

At Kids & Company, we’re excited to continue inspiring families to explore more plant-based meals, delicious, nutritious, and fun for the whole family! 

 

  

Posted on: Friday October 3rd, 2025

Posted by: Kids & Company