Five Tips for Following a Plant-Based Diet
The plant-based movement has exploded over the past couple of years. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and medical experts like Dr. Michael Greger have jumped on the plant-based bandwagon, singing praises of the diet’s associated health benefits and lesser impact on the environment.
But if Kim and Dr. Greger aren’t enough to convince you, maybe that triple dollar sign sticker price on meat at the grocery store has you curious about incorporating more plants into your diet.
What is a plant-based diet?
So what exactly is a plant-based diet and where can you start? A plant-based diet is defined as an eating pattern that focuses primarily on foods derived from plants, according to Harvard Health.
This differs from a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet because instead of restricting meat and dairy products completely, one simply focuses on eating a greater portion of plant products versus animal products.
But how does this play out in a hectic and busy life where food is the last thing you want to worry about? Here are five simple tips for starting and maintaining a plant-based diet:
Five easy tips
1. Start small - just replace one meal
The daunting task of altering your diet can seem overwhelming and unattainable. But taking the approach of replacing one traditionally meat-centered meal a day, can make the goal of a plant-based diet more accessible and achievable.
The benefit of being plant-based is that you still get to enjoy meat and dairy products – they just aren’t the focal point of your plate. Here’s a great recipe for Vegan Stuffed Shells to try at home. Try swapping out the cashews with unroasted cashew butter for convenience!
2. Swap out dairy products for dairy-alternatives
If you are used to enjoying a daily glass of cow’s milk, try swapping it out for a glass of almond milk. Almond milk fortified with calcium can provide the vitamins and minerals that you need in your diet. It is also a lower-calorie alternative to dairy-milk.
There are a lot of dairy-alternative products available on the market that make switching to a plant-based diet easier and more fun!
3. Plan ahead for the drive through
When life gets hectic and fast-food is the only option for a quick dinner, check the menu ahead of time to find plant-based options. Taco-Bell has an entire vegan/vegetarian menu with a wide variety of options for plant-based consumers.
Burger King, White Castle, and even Starbucks have also embraced the plant-based meat trend by offering Beyond or Impossible meat in replacement of beef.
4. Choose filling plant-based snacks
If there is one thing that meat offers, it’s satiation. And when you are on-the-go, quick, convenient calories can often take the form of animal-based snacks. But plants can offer satiation too!
A plant-based diet doesn’t need to look like you are eating your way through a salad bar. Choose filling snacks like almond butter, cashew butter, or avocados as a midday snack. If you’re on the go pack almonds, cashews, and pistachios – they’re savory, protein packed and nutrient dense.
The last thing you want is to feel hungry again an hour after snacking.
5. Choose plant-based foods you actually enjoy
This one might go without saying, but finding foods that are actually enjoyable is likely the best strategy for sustaining a diet long term. There are a lot of plant-based recipes on the web and finding a couple of recipes you enjoy will get you excited about eating plant-based instead of dreading it.
Have fun with it and get creative with spices and seasonings to elevate your menu options. Here are a couple of blogs that offer creative and delicious plant-based recipes:
Multiple Contributors - The Minimalist Baker
Hop on the plant-based bandwagon
It’s not too late to get on the plant-based band wagon. Using these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to a healthier life and a better planet.
