I'm sure you've heard the term "plant-based" a lot lately, but there appears to be some misunderstanding about what it truly means. To be honest, I assumed "plant-based diet" was just another way of saying "vegan" when I first heard it, but it's actually very different. A vegan diet excludes all animal-based foods (meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, and so on), and many vegans also lead a vegan lifestyle, which excludes the usage of animal-based goods such as leather and wool.
While a vegan diet excludes animal products, it does not exclude sugar, refined flours, or processed meals. As we all know, there are plenty of vegan doughnuts, cookies, and croissants available. A "plant-based" diet, on the other hand, consists mostly of nutritious, unprocessed or minimally processed plant-based foods (nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes), with some animal-based goods such as free-range eggs, organic chicken, or wild fish thrown in for good measure. A plant-based diet emphasizes whole foods and unprocessed choices, with the goal of eating a variety of plant foods.
Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns emphasize plant-based foods. This includes nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans, in addition to fruits and vegetables. It does not imply that you are a vegetarian or vegan who does not consume meat or dairy products. Rather, you are consuming a greater amount of your meals from plant sources.
Vegetarian and Mediterranean diets:
What proof do you have that plant-based eating habits are good for you? Plant-based eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and a vegetarian diet, have been the subject of a lot of nutrition study. The Mediterranean diet is focused on plant-based meals, with fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, and yogurt thrown in for good measure, while you eat sweets and meat less often!
In both large population studies and randomized clinical trials, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers (specifically colon, breast, and prostate cancer), depression, and frailty in older adults, as well as better mental and physical function.
Vegetarian diets have also been linked to improved health, including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and longer life.
Plant-based diets are high in fiber and phytonutrients, and they include all of the required protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health. Some vegans, however, may need to take a supplement (particularly vitamin B12) to get all of the nutrients they need.
Varieties of vegetarian diet:
Vegetarian diets exist in a variety of forms and sizes, and you should pick the one that best suits your needs.
Vegetarian (sometimes known as lacto-ovo vegetarian) foods contain eggs and dairy products but exclude meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
Vegan excludes all animal products.
Eggs, dairy products, and occasionally meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish are included in a semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet.
Eggs, dairy products, fish, and seafood are all considered pescatarian, while meat and fowl are not.

HEALTHY WAYS FOR BEGINNERS TO START EATING A PLANT-BASED DIET
Here are some pointers to get you started on a vegan diet.

• Consume a lot of veggies
• Change your perspective on meat
• Choose healthy fats
• At least once a week, prepare a vegetarian dinner
• Breakfast should include entire grains
• Greens are the way to go
• Make a salad the centerpiece of your dinner Dessert should be fruit.