What is a Plant-Based Eating Lifestyle?
Plant-based diets are part of many lifestyle plans promoted by wellness specialists, but what does plant-based eating really mean?
A plant-based way of eating focuses on consuming plant-derived whole foods that are unrefined and minimally processed. This means pure, unadulterated ingredients that are in their original form.
Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, tubers, and legumes are the dietary staples. These are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals and provide an abundance of nutrients for your body.
Following a plant-based lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean fully avoiding animal products like a vegan or vegetarian. For plant-based eaters, animal proteins can happily fit into the lifestyle, yet they serve as more of a supporting role to your veggies and whole grains.
Vegan vs. plant-based
To get technical, a vegan doesn’t consume any animal products including meat, eggs, milk, dairy, and honey. For some vegans, the primary reason for leading a vegan lifestyle is related to ethics and animal welfare. Yet, a vegan diet is not always as nutritionally virtuous and as clean as a plant-based lifestyle—hello, faux meat and french fries.
The vegan focus is usually set on avoiding animal products, but the priority is not placed on unprocessed plant-based whole foods.
A huge concern for many when contemplating a plant-based lifestyle is whether eating in this manner is balanced and nutritionally sound. The resounding answer is YES!
But it’s important to be mindful and considerate of the foods that you’re eating. It’s key to make sure that you are consuming a colorful and diversified diet in order to optimize your nutrition.
Protein
Where to get your protein is often the major concern for individuals considering a plant-based way of life. Beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are all plant-based sources of protein that are also filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Protein needs vary from person to person depending on your age, health status, and amount of physical activity. Garnering all of your protein needs from a plant-based diet is simple and achievable.
The Health Benefits
One of the main reasons to start following a plant-based diet is for the health benefits. Now, more so than ever, research is showing how dietary modifications can positively affect health.
A plant-based lifestyle can help to promote weight loss and help to maintain your goal weight. Weight loss commonly occurs because the diet consists of foods that are full of fiber and have a high water content, which promotes the feeling of fullness.
Studies have shown that adhering to a plant-based diet helps to improve blood glucose levels in those who have diabetes or are prediabetic. This means a lower risk of diabetes-related medical conditions, as well as a reduced reliance on medications.
A plant-based lifestyle is full of fiber, which helps with digestion by moving things along, preventing constipation, and promoting regular bowel movements. It has also been seen to help lower blood pressure.
The Other Benefits
Another major reason to jump on the plant-based eating train is for the external benefits. Plant-based foods are loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which improve skin clarity and help you get that glow.
One of the plant-based vitamin all-stars is vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. A large number of fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, such as broccoli, papaya, apricot, and bell peppers. They assist in stimulating collagen production, smoothing lines, and reducing wrinkles.
Feeling more energized and alert is another benefit of following a plant-based diet. The standard American diet is filled with processed foods, sugar, and white flour, which de-energize your system and make you fatigued. These foods cause spikes and rapid declines in sugar levels, which can result in spurts of energy followed by extreme tiredness.
Eating whole foods, which are clean sources of carbohydrates, protein, and fruit, sustain your energy more naturally. Consuming foods high in fiber causes blood sugar levels to increase and decline slowly and steadily, without the sugar rush and the crash.
Transitioning away from processed foods to a more plant-based way of life will make your body function optimally. Your digestion will likely improve, your skin will start glowing, and your total energy will increase due to the nutrient-dense attributes and high quality of the foods being consumed.
