March 22, 2024
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From desiring to be healthier, to supporting animal rights, to wanting to be gentler on the planet, there are many reasons people become curious about adopting a plant-based diet. And with vegetarianism and veganism on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly easier to get educated about — and embody — a plant-based lifestyle.
So how do you know if going plant-based is for you? Let’s dive in.
A plant-based diet focuses on eating mostly plants such as:
In many cases, people following a plant-based diet avoid all animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. However, some people interpret “plant-based” as eating mostly plant foods, so, on occasion, they may consume meat, fish, or dairy.
As with all “diets,” just because they include the word “diet” doesn’t mean they’re healthy. (Cabbage Soup Diet, we see you.)
However, a plant-based diet can be very healthy if done correctly.
Research shows that balanced diets high in fruits, veggies, and whole grains can improve heart health and reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity. Plant-based diets can also help you lose weight.
All of this sounds great and like plant-based diets are a slam dunk, right?
Maybe. But maybe not.
As with all healthy eating plans, the key is to stay away from processed foods, refined grains, added sugars, and foods with unhealthy additives and preservatives. Those things simply do not benefit anyone trying to improve their health.
And while it may be tempting to grab a vegan meal replacement bar or shake, a quick check of the ingredients may turn up a good number of the “stay away from” ingredients we just listed above. Instead, look for clean plant-based protein sources, like NatureM.D.’s NutriProtein powder, for quick and healthy grab-and-go meals without the extra sketchy ingredients.
Now that you know what you’ll need to avoid as you consider going plant-based, let’s look at what you’ll want to eat in order to get the benefits you’re looking for — and the nutrients your body needs.
Eat lots of:
Tip: It’s important to eat whole or very minimally processed foods in order to get the most nutrients in each serving.
You may also consider a quick, delicious, and convenient plant-based protein shake like NutriProtein. With 15g of protein in one serving, it’s a great way to fuel your body and replenish essential nutrients. Digestive enzymes (like NatureM.D.’s Enzyme 365) can also be of benefit, as they improve nutrient absorption so your body gets what it needs from your plant-based foods.
RELATED: The 5 Biggest Benefits of Plant-Based Protein Powder
Whatever your reasons for considering a plant-based diet, our last recommendation would be to swap out the word “diet” for “lifestyle.” Because when you go plant-based, it becomes a lifestyle, and you’ll need to commit to a lifestyle change in order for your new plant-based life to be successful and sustainable.
Some things to consider:
If you can say YES to all of these and you’re ready to dive into the list of YES foods above, a plant-based lifestyle might be perfect for you!
Even if you can’t say yes to each of these lifestyle changes immediately, you can begin integrating more plant foods into your diet and seeing where it takes you. You could love it so much that a full change is inevitable. Or, you can become mostly plant-based with some flexibility to add in animal products on occasion.
The key to success is to do what’s best for you, and to listen to your body the whole way. It will guide you the whole way. That’s what it’s designed to do.
To your health and happiness…
Your NatureM.D. Wellness Team