HOW & WHY TO CONSIDER A WHOLE-FOOD PLANT-BASED DIET

September 18, 2017 by Renee Tavoularis

A whole food plant-based diet is an excellent way to bolster your health and well-being. A plant-based way of eating focuses on consuming plant-derived whole foods -- and those foods are generally unrefined and minimally processed. Plant-based diets include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, tubers and legumes as staples. You can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from these pure, fresh foods.

BENEFITS OF A WHOLE FOOD PLANT-BASED DIET

One of the best reasons to consider a plant-based diet is for the many ways it benefits your health. Take a look at just a few of them:

• Prevents damage at the cellular level
• Reduces inflammation
• Prevents and possibly reverses chronic disease
• Improves energy level, lasting all day
• Balances hormones
• Detoxes
• Improves gut health
• Clears skin 

DIET MISCONCEPTIONS

"Plant-based" has become such a popular buzzword. Along with its popularity have come plenty of misconceptions about the lifestyle and what it entails. Here are some of the common myths you may come across.

I WON'T GET ENOUGH PROTEIN

Whole food plant-based diets are super nutritional and plants contain more than enough protein, iron, vitamin D and calcium to keep you healthy and thriving.

IT'S TOO RESTRICTIVE

Plant-based dieting isn't strictly vegan or vegetarian. Those diets mean refraining from eating all meat and dairy products -- but a plant-based diet allows for meat and dairy products now and then, or even with every meal if you like.

WE NEED MILK AND DAIRY FOR STRONG BONES

Getting enough protein and keeping your bones healthy are often big concerns for people considering a plant-based diet. But filling your plate with beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains will provide you with more than enough calcium and protein for strong bones.

HOW TO GO ABOUT EATING A WHOLE FOOD PLANT-BASED DIET

A plant-based diet is something that will improve your life and help you feel great. Here are some helpful tips that will make it easier for you to make the transition to clean eating. 

DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GIVING UP

Instead of thinking about the foods that you have to go without, focus on all of the new foods and flavors that are coming into your diet. It's exciting to learn about new foods and cook new meals. Many people find that once you get over the initial craving, you don't even miss these foods anymore. Try not to let your mind wander to the foods that you are giving up while you're first starting out.

GET CREATIVE

One exciting aspect of a plant-based diet is that, if you're used to eating a lot of meat and dairy, you get to try all kinds of new foods. You can look for new recipes online and find unique ways of cooking fruits and vegetables and creating full meals out of them instead of just having them as sides on your plate. You can experiment with all kinds of new spices and flavors in order to change up your daily eating routine. 

DO IT GRADUALLY

You don't have to make the change overnight. It helps to start changing little by little -- you'll begin to notice that you feel better even by eating plant-based meals a few times a week. 

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learning more about what foods do to your body is a great way to start eating healthier. A lot of the time we don't even realize why certain foods make us feel bad or what types of foods to avoid.

THINK OF IT AS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET

Diets make you feel like you are restricting yourself from enjoying certain things. Instead of looking at plant-based eating as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle -- one that empowers you and makes you feel great.

FILL HALF OF YOUR PLATE

You don't have to dive into a plant-based diet completely -- you can start by just filling half of your plate with fruit or vegetables at every meal. Salads, stir-fried vegetables and other vegetarian options will be a great complement to your usual meals.

CUT OUT WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE

Chances are there are some meats and dairy products in your life that you don't really love but eat them anyway because they're familiar to you. Start by gradually cutting these out. You won't even notice that they're gone because you never craved them to begin with.

GIVE UP JUNK FOOD

Some things that humans consume are just inherently bad for us -- and baked goods and sweets are the biggest culprits. Sugar is just incredibly bad for our bodies and our health; it makes us gain weight and feel sluggish. Giving up cupcakes, ice cream, candy and other treats is an excellent goal to start you on your path toward a plant-based diet.