It’s easy to get caught up with the hype of an ever-changing health trend landscape. It can be quite overwhelming to know which claims are backed by research and which you should definitely say no thanks to. Low carb. No carb. Gluten-free. Fat-free. High-fat. Protein only. Fasting. Blood type. Keto. Paleo. The list goes on and on. By the time you try one of these new diets, the media has already moved on and is covering the next “best” thing out there, and it’s probably not the tedious and confusing eating plan you have decided to take on for the past two weeks.

Luckily, there happens to be one way of eating that nutritionists and scientists agree promotes health and helps to prevent disease. A plant-based diet is widely supported and focuses on eating fresh, whole ingredients. Research shows filling the body with minimally processed plant-based foods improves overall health and stimulates weight loss.

Plant-Based Diet 101:

There is truly no exact definition out there on what a plant-based diet really encompasses, and it has varying levels of how strict you can be on this diet. It’s also not really a diet, but more of a lifestyle that is easy for just about anyone to implement who has access to fresh whole foods. This way of eating is nothing new and part of the reason it has been studied and its health benefits documented. Studies have found that people following the Mediterranean diet (which is mostly a plant-based diet), composed of veggies, fruits, olive oil and low in red meat, are healthier overall and even have lower risks of cancer.

Plant-Based Basic Principles:

• Simple, Clean and Organic when possible

• Mainly Encompasses Whole Foods:

  • Fruits

  • Vegetables

  • Whole grains

  • Legumes

  • Nuts and Seeds

• Excludes Processed Foods:

  • Added sugars

  • White Flour

  • Processed Oils

• Limits Animal Products:

  • Meats

  • Dairy

  • Eggs

  • Seafood

  • Honey

• Plant-Based VEGETARIAN:

  • Follows all of the basic principles

  • Avoids meat, fish and poultry

  • Includes eggs and dairy

• Plant-Based VEGAN:

  • Follows all of the basic principles

  • Avoids all animal products

Let’s Talk About WEIGHT LOSS:

A plant-based diet requires no calorie counting, food weighing, ratios or tricks. You just need fresh whole foods, fruits and veggies, grains and legumes. Simply cutting out packaged, processed foods from your diet, like chips, soda, treats, fast food and white refined grains, is already a step toward weight loss. Study after study has shown that plant-based diets are one of the most beneficial lifestyle changes you can make for your overall health and to facilitate lasting weight loss. The high fiber contents (hello, feelings of satiety) of a plant-based-diet plus eliminating processed foods is a powerful combination for ridding the body of excess body weight.

Loving The Long List Of HEALTH BENEFITS:

A plant-based diet is not only amazing for your weight loss efforts, but it may also majorly lower your risk for many chronic diseases. Double Plus!

• Boost Brain Power: Diets rich in vegetables and fruits may lower and your chances of cognitive decline, especially Alzheimer’s disease. Plant-based diets are chalked full of powerful antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins that can slow and reduce the risk of developing cognitive dementia.

• Keep Cancer Away: Studies have shown that following a plant-based diet may reduce your risk of developing many types of cancer, especially gastrointestinal cancer. Vegetarians in particular have been studied, and research shows that following a high plant-based vegetarian diet has the greatest health benefits.

• Down That Risk For Diabetes: Following a plant-based diet may reduce your risk of developing diabetes, especially Type 2, when compared to others who follow unhealthy diets. Plant-based diets may also improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

• Eat Healthy To Keep Heart Disease Down: Plant-based diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, legumes and nuts significantly lower your risk of developing heart disease. Fruit juices, refined grains and sugary drinks may actually increase your risk for heart disease.

Plant-Based Deliciousness: FOODS TO EAT & NOT TO EAT

A plant-based diet is often a big change for people who are used to filling their plates with lots of animal products. Foods like meats, poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy should be a compliment to your diet rather than the main course.

• A Plant-Based Food List (Some Top Favorites):

  • Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots, asparagus, peppers, celery

  • Starchy Veggies: Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash

  • Fruits: Berries, apples, pears, bananas, tomatoes, avocados

  • Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, red beans

  • Whole grains: Brown rice, old-fashioned oats, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta

  • Healthy fats: Olive oil and coconut oil

  • Nuts and seeds: Almonds, pistachios, cashews, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds

  • Unsweetened plant-based milks: Almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk

  • Plant-based protein: Tofu, tempeh (plus the beans, nuts and legumes above)

• Best Animal Foods:

  • Dairy: Organic

  • Eggs: Pasture-raised

  • Seafood: Wild-Caught

  • Poultry: Organic, Free-range

  • Beef: Grass-fed

  • Pork: Grass-fed

• Definitely NOT On The Plant-Based Food List

  • Packaged Foods: Frozen dinners, chips, bars, candy

  • Processed Animal Products: Deli meats, bacon, jerky

  • Refined Grains: White rice, bread, pasta, bagels

  • Added Sugars: Sugar, desserts, candy, juices, soda

  • Fast Foods: Nuggets, fries, burgers, hot dogs

Plant-Based Bottom Line: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY.

You do not have to go 100% plant-based to add vitamins, essential nutrients and antioxidants into your diet. Make a conscious effort to eat MORE vegetables, MORE fruits, MORE whole grains, MORE healthy fats and MORE nuts and consume LESS meat and FEWER processed and packaged foods, sugars and refined grains. You may just find yourself with a whole lot more energy, less pounds on your body and brighter skin!

As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” You have control over what foods you put into your body. Why not choose foods that nourish every cell and increase your chances of staying healthy? More broccoli? Yes, please!