A plant-based diet is commonly mistaken as the same as a vegetarian or vegan diet. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. A plant-based diet is focused on proportionately eating more foods primarily from plants and cutting back on animal-derived foods. However, it does not necessarily involve eliminating entire food groups and lean sources of protein. It means those on a plant-based diet may still opt to eat some meat. Going vegan, on the other hand, means being strictly against animal products in any form-from never eating meat and dairy products to not patronizing products tested on animals and not wearing animal products such as leather. A healthy plant-based diet generally emphasizes meeting your nutritional needs by eating more whole plant foods while reducing the intake of animal products. Whole foods refer to natural, unrefined, or minimally refined foods. Plant foods consist of those that do not have animal ingredients such as meat, eggs, honey, milk, and other dairy products. In contrast, those on a vegetarian diet may still eat processed and refined foods. Vegetarians can even eat fast foods, junk food, and other salty snacks guilt-free. Once you get started with this diet, you will notice a huge difference in how you feel each day. The moment that you wake up in the morning, you will feel that you have more energy and that you do not get tired as easily as before. You will also have more mental focus and fewer mood-related problems. As for digestion, a plant-based diet is also said to improve how the digestive system works. Dieters confirm fewer incidences of stomach pains, bloating, indigestion, and hyperacidity. Then there is the weight loss benefit that we cannot forget about. Since a plantbased diet means eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that have fewer calories and are lower in fat, you will enjoy weight loss benefits that some other fad diets are not able to provide. Aside from helping you lose weight; it maintains the ideal weight longer because this diet is easier to sustain and does not require eliminating certain food groups. Do not worry about not getting enough nutrients from your food intake. This diet provides all the necessary nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and antioxidants. And again, that is because it does not eliminate any food group but only encourages you to focus more on plant-based food products. 8 In order to get the best out of your plant-based diet, you will want to set a path and boundaries for yourself. This will help to ensure your success and help you to maximize your results. The best way to go about this is to make it as fun and enjoyable for you as possible! Make yourself templates and sample lists and menus that will inspire you, and help you decide what will work best for you. Start out with a pen or pencil, and paper. Write down what you currently eat. Try to get the clearest idea of what you eat day in and day out. You may want to keep a food journal for about a week, but for some this won't be a pleasurable experience. But what you can do is think of all of the foods that you normally eat, be entirely honest, and place them each in one of two categories: Do Eat, and Do Not Eat. The foods you will continue to eat, you will place under Do Eat. The foods you will plan to avoid, at least temporarily, you will place under Do Not Eat. Seems simple enough, right? Now, you should do this slowly, and over time. Choose only a few foods to adopt, and to eliminate from your diet at a time. This will be a gradual transition. You may even want to make a third category marked Why? This category is a great place to note why you are choosing to add or eliminate that food, in case you need a reminder.
