6 Steps Towards a Plant-Based Diet

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Undoubtedly you have been hearing the words “plant-based” and “vegan” flooding the media as more and more people are becoming more and more plant-curious. With evidence building in the scientific database on the extraordinary health benefits of eating more plants; with rapid growth of vegan restaurant (chains) and vegan options on menus; and with exploding recipe sources and plant-based ingredients on the shelves, it’s a sign of positive growth, indeed. Of course, this brings me great joy and I am happily answering an increasingly voluminous influx of questions via email and social media. Bring them on! The more plants people eat, the more healthy bodies, happier planet Earth, and fewer animals bred for harm.

Whether by delving in wholeheartedly or simply starting by dipping your toes, you will help improve your life in myriad ways…

Here are six steps you can take to kick off the process:

1. Focus on the positive. Instead of thinking about what you will be crowing out (animal products and processed foods), think about ways to incorporate new and exciting whole plant ingredients and recipes. For example, check out the wall of plant milks and the dozens of different whole grain varieties you may never have noticed sitting on the shelves at the supermarket. Visit the tables and tables of vibrant, fascinating vegetables and fruits at your local farmer’s market. Try something new each week or – heck, why not – each day? Broadening your culinary horizons makes your world more delicious and interesting. Here is my recent post with a bunch of ideas on what a day in the vegan life looks like for some inspiration.

2. Seek support. Anytime you venture out into unknown turf, it helps to have some peeps on standby that have been there, done that, and can help offer guidance, direction, or even just a boost of reassurance. Unite with people at conferences, talks, events, local meet up groups or online via social networking. There are many plant-friendly groups and individuals that are more than happy to open their arms and welcome you in with loving arms, share their favorite recipes, tips, and help you strategize. Follow groups like PCRM for inspiration. PCRM has a 21 day kickstart program here to get you underway and Mercy for Animals has a great starter kit here.

3. Stock up your kitchen and play more. If you are well stocked with healthful ingredients and options in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, you will have no choice but to choose well. Plan a day to shop for food once a week so you will have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to use throughout the week. A weekly trip to the local farmer’s market ensures longer-lasting, as fresh as can be produce that will inspire you. Here is a how-to-stock-your-pantry video I recently made. In addition, play with batch cooking in order to simplify food prep and then store leftovers in your fridge or freezer so there are healthy meals ready to eat when you don’t feel like cooking or are in a rush. Here is a video on batch cooking and what I eat in a week to give you some ideas. Finally, here is a post with several videos on plant-based cooking tips.

4. Try out plant-based restaurants and plant-based products. There has never been a better time to go veg, as there are new restaurants popping up across America at lightening speeds and most non-veg restaurants are serving up veg-friendly menus to accommodate their customers’ demands. Find these restaurants near you and wherever you may be traveling by using an app or website like HappyCow.net. Further, the list of companies making vegan ingredients, foods, and meals are spreading like wildfire across supermarket shelves everywhere. Experiment when you hit the stores with one of the dozens of plant-based milks, yogurts, and frozen veggie burgers. It’s helpful to have your recipes planned out ahead of time and then to shop with a prepared list.

5. Fill up with information. Study. Read books, blogposts, and articles. Watch documentaries and videos. Take classes or go to (online) seminars, if possible. Knowledge is power and inspiration and the more you know, the better you can explore with confidence and enthusiasm. Start here with my favorite books, films, and resources. Please add your suggestions below in the comments section.

6. Have fun. This may be the most important step of all. Nothing about eating healthfully should be stressful, discomforting, or mopey. This is an adventure and it is pure goodness, as it will restore your body’s inner glow physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. Enjoy every moment, every bite, and every success. If you mess up a meal or veer off the wagon, assess what you can learn from the experience and hop back up. Travel your journey and embrace the ride.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Raymond Moses

    It is one of the important and logical solution to problems, negatively affecting the health of man- – physically, mentally and morally too. Considering the ills of our planet, the vegan lifestyle will indirectly help in the reduction of green house gases, by lessening the use of animal products as food, thus creating the conditions for the scaling down of animal farming and those toxic, related industries. Diseases that are proven to be related to the carnivorous lifestyle will be minimized…Man's anatomical structure says that man is fundamentally a non meat eater. Principally among these traits are, his intestines, they are twelve times longer than, for example the dog or any other carnivore. Therefore food do not stay as long (4hrs) in their digestive tracts as in ours. The implication of putrefaction impinging on our health is greater, especially with the consumption of meat…The tooth we called the ''canine'' cuspid or commonly referred to as the eye tooth, do not, as in the meat eating animals, exceed the rest of the incisors in length, the cusp is not as pointed as the natural carnivores, and not as pronounced. These are two notable highlights among the rest which underscores the anatomical fact that we are vegetarians. This is a cultural aberration that has grown to be intolerable in many way, We simply have to revert to our natural way of life, in every respect that sacred balance of heaven on earth.

  2. Joan Moylan

    Transitioning to a vegan life is very important for so many reasons. It is also very important to eat greens, as well as experiment making your own foods. Buying frozen vegan options is not always the best way to go. It is very important to have the majority of your food from whole-based green foods. Don't rely on processed food. Buy a good vegan cookbook as mentioned in article and you will begin to notice a difference in how you feel and act.

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