Brodo is proudly an omnivore bone broth. There is a common misconception that Brodo is a meat-based food. And while meaty bones are the main focus in our bone broths, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the delicious vegetables we add. Not only is it the traditional to add vegetables to broths, but they elevate the flavor.
Brodo can also make vegetables taste more delicious while adding nutrients that are difficult to obtain by eating solely plants. On that note, bone broth is an excellent addition to a mostly vegetarian diet – we would argue even for people who choose to reduce meat consumption on ethical grounds.
Bones are a byproduct of the meat industry rather than the product driving it, so consuming Brodo is helping to utilize the whole animal rather than letting some parts go to waste. We also take great care to source our meat and bones from farmers who commit to ethical and sustainable practices There’s a reason why we call Brodo “the most Earth-friendly protein on Earth!”
Sadly there’s a growing trend of “either – or” when it comes to animal- and plant-based foods. Brodo doesn’t fit into either the carnivore diet nor the vegan diet because it contains animal as well as plant ingredients. And we’re ok with being omnivore!
Some nutrients that are primarily found in animal-based foods like bone broth include:
- Vitamin B12: This vitamin is crucial for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. Animal products are the only foods that naturally contain significant amounts of this vitamin.
- Iron (heme iron) Iron is present in plant foods, but it’s in a form (non-heme iron) that is not as easily absorbed by the body as the iron found in animal products (heme iron).
- Calcium: While we can get calcium from some plant foods (such as leafy greens, tofu, and fortified plant milks), however animal foods contain the highest amount and bioavailability. Ensuring an adequate intake of calcium is important for bone health.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA): Plant-based sources like flaxseeds and walnuts provide alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), however the conversion of ALA to the more biologically active forms (EPA and DHA) is limited in the human body.
- Crucial amino acids: While all essential amino acids are present in various plant foods, it can be more difficult to obtain all of them with a plant-based diet on a daily basis unless you’re able to carefully plan all of your meals. Bone broth contains collagen, gelatin, and a plethora of amino acids which are essential for your body’s basic functions and wellbeing.
- Zinc: Plant foods contain zinc, but the bioavailability in animal-based foods is greater.
Some nutrients that are primarily found in plant-based foods include:
- Fiber: Found in plant-based foods, important for digestive health and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome
- Vitamin C: Found in fruits and vegetables, essential for immune function, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant protection.
- Folate: Found in leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains, important for DNA synthesis and repair, red blood cell formation.
- Phytochemicals: Found in plant foods, these compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to overall health.
The Case for Omnivorism
In a world of over-indulgence, it’s plausible to believe that following a restrictive diet such as the vegan diet or carnivore diet can protect you from the consequences. But before diseases of affluence became prevalent, there was no need for this. Everyone was an omnivore! That’s why we believe if you should restrict anything, it should be ultra-processed foods.
Completely eliminating animal- or plant-based foods from the diet means it’s easy to come up short on essential nutrients. Unless you’re willing to take highly processed supplements, that is. Restrictive diets are also difficult to stick to long term. While following an omnivore diet doesn’t guarantee health, it’s much easier to obtain all the essential nutrients.
At the end of the day, we hope that people choose a diet that makes them feel happy and healthy. For those who lean lighter on the meat, we recommend cooking beans, vegetables, and whole grains in bone broth. We have lots of recipes in our blog. If you need more veggies in your life, check out how to get 8+ servings of vegetables in this recipe!
