Venturing into a plant-based diet has been a popular trend in recent years. More and more people are curious about what it is and what difference it can actually make to the body. Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, first, take a look at what it is.
Most people associate plant-based diets with simply eating fruits and vegetables, organic produce from the earth. Although it’s not wrong, there’s more to it than that. This diet also includes nuts, oils, seeds, whole grains, and beans with various nutritional values, such as plant protein, that provide incredible health benefits.
What are the Health Benefits of Plant Protein?
People assume that plant-based diets remove all protein sources, when in fact, the opposite is true. There are two sources of protein available, namely animal and plant. They each give the body the amino acids that it needs to help strengthen muscles and tissues. Here is a list of benefits for swapping animal protein to plant protein:
- Aids in Weight Loss: Plant-based protein has lower calories and fat than animal protein. They also contain higher amounts of fiber and other essential nutrients to boost the body’s performance. Consuming different types of plant proteins is the surest way to give the body the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs.
- Helps the Environment: Participating in plant-based diets allows the body to get the protein it needs while keeping mother earth safe. By doing so, it reduces carbon footprint and the impact on climate change.
- Boosts Heart Health: Animal meat is the greatest source of cholesterol and heart disease. Replacing a meaty diet with plant-based alternatives is proven to have positive effects on reducing cholesterol levels. It replaces saturated fats with healthier fats.
- Lengthens Lifespans: With the right amount of nutrients and proteins, the body can be sustained even better with cleaner and healthier plant-based meals.
How to Make the Switch to a more Plant-Based Lifestyle?
As convincing as it is to swap red meat to greens, it requires time to adjust and get used to. The important thing is to start slow. There is absolutely no need to do everything all at once. Taking the little steps to make that shift is all that matters.
It all starts with a mindset. Rather than thinking of meat as a main dish, think of it as a garnish or an appetizer. Gradually, substitute a high-carb, high-cholesterol diet with something leaner and greener.
One way to transition smoothly is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into daily meals. Choose delicious recipes that make use of various glow foods that are appetizing and appealing to eat. Try to incorporate as much color and variation as possible to keep it interesting and fresh.
If this is too hard, start with devoting one day a week to cooking just plant-based meals. Once the body has adjusted, try to do it twice a week or thrice a week. Rather than the unhealthy and sugary treats, try replacing them with juicy and refreshing fruits as snacks and desserts. Without even realizing it, the body will start to crave healthier options.
Conclusion
People assume that going plant-based is not doable as a lifestyle, but that’s not true at all. It’s easier than it seems and much more attainable than people give it credit for. There are numerous health and environmental benefits to this diet. All it requires is the right attitude and the proper products to start living a greener and healthier lifestyle.
