The next big thing in Plant-Based lifestyle. One of the most emphasized topics when it comes to health and fitness is embracing a plant-based lifestyle. It is no longer a secret, so many foods that we consume nowadays are being processed and preserved using chemicals.
Unfortunately, some of the products that we consume have unhealthy contents in them that highly contribute to several lifestyle diseases. With the increasing awareness of living healthy by watching what we eat, you will realize the benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
The Next Big Thing in Plant-Based Lifestyle
But first, what exactly do you understand from this? A plant-based lifestyle simply means eating unprocessed foods that come from plants and do not have any ingredients from animal products such as meat, and fish, dairy, honey, and eggs.
Whole Grain Bread with Nuts and Avocado
From the description, you may frown a little bit since you may assume that this would be a very annoying kind of diet. However, that is not the case as there is such a wide variety of plant-based foods which can help you avoid the monotony of eating a particular meal. Without further ado, let us take a closer look at what the plant-based lifestyle has in store for us, shall we?
Types of Plant-Based Foods You Can Eat
If you are unsure of where to start with a plant-based lifestyle, it is essential to know precisely what kind of food you need to get to achieve the ultimate goal of staying healthy. As mentioned earlier, there are a good number of foods which can help you achieve a plant-based lifestyle including:
Vegetables; A plant-based lifestyle would not be complete without corn, lettuce, kale, peas, spinach, avocado, etc.
The Next Big Thing in Plant-Based Lifestyle – Roasted Butternut Squash
Whole grains: examples of these include oats, barley, millet, brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, sorghum, etc.
Legumes: the most common is any beans, lentils, pulses, chickpeas, soybeans, peanuts, etc.
The Next Big Thing in Plant-Based Lifestyle – Sprouted Mung beans is another great high protein food.
Tubers: root vegetables that never miss on the list include sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroots, parsnips, potatoes, and of course Squashes.
Get Started With Plant-Based Diets
Now that you have a clue of the plant-based foods you can implement in your diet, here are a few tips on how to have a smooth transition to a plant-based lifestyle.
1. Focus on eating more vegetables than meat. You can change your mindset on how you eat meat and instead of eating it as the main dish, use it a garnish. That way you will eat more vegetables and a minimal quantity of beef if you want to.
2. Make healthy choices of the fats you consume. There are good fats in olives, olive oil, nut butter, avocados, and seeds.
3. Let whole grains be part of your breakfast. You can have oatmeal, quinoa or barley and add some fresh fruit to get a balanced meal.
4. Make a meal out of a salad by filling a bowl with some lettuce, red bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and some radishes. There also other vegetable salad options you can look up in different websites to give you an idea on how to prepare different recipes that suit your tastes and preferences.
5. Eat fruits such as watermelons, ripe mangoes or peaches as your dessert.
6. Avoid eating refined foods, processed oils, and white flour.
Most stores have Vegan cheese using Almonds or other ways to substitute dairy
Benefits of a Plant-Based Lifestyle
1. Weight loss
Currently, it has been observed that obesity is becoming an epidemic and as a matter of fact, 69% of adults in the US are obese. These come with serious health complications, and it is, therefore, essential to eliminate factors that contribute to this and adjusting the diet plans. By adopting a plant-based lifestyle, one can lose a significant amount of weight.
2. It can help to reverse certain diseases
One can minimize the risk of getting several diseases by embracing a plant-based lifestyle. Some of these diseases include:
Heart disease- eating a plant-based diet reduces the risk of getting heart diseases unlike those who eat unhealthy plant-based diets which have added sugar. By eating healthy fats from foods like nuts and avocado, one can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol which can contribute to heart disease.
Nuts are very high in Protean
Cancer- some types of cancer such as gastrointestinal cancer can be prevented by eating a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian diet. Another disease that can be avoided is colorectal cancer which rarely occurs in people who observe a strictly plant-based diet.
Cognitive Decline- eating foods that have more fruits and vegetables can enable older people to minimize the risk of getting cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. This is because these foods have a high number of antioxidants and plant compounds that reverse the effects of these two diseases.
Diabetes-the most effective way to prevent diabetes is through eating healthily. Eating plant-based diets can minimize the risk of getting type 2 diabetes and also increase control of blood sugar levels of those who already have diabetes.
3. Increased Fiber Intake
Fiber helps in digestion and reduces constipation. You can quickly get it from eating fruits and vegetables. Fiber also plays a significant role in lowering blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
4. Improved Vision
You can improve your eyesight by eating foods rich in vitamin A such as carrots. Also one can prevent the formation of cataract and macular degeneration by eating foods with zeaxanthin and lutein pigments such as spinach, corn, kiwi, grapes, and squash.
5. Healthy Skin
The results of a good diet will always manifest on the skin’s appearance. Reduction on saturated fats from animals helps to decrease clogged pores on the skin. Vitamins obtained from plant-based foods help in improving the health of the skin.
Lycopene found in tomatoes can help in the protection of skin from getting damaged by the sun. There is increased production of collagen which prevents wrinkles from forming and one can experience this by eating sweet potatoes.
In conclusion, you can agree that the reasons why you need to challenge yourself to start this plant-based lifestyle would be fundamental. From the health benefits to improved general physical appearance, you would not want to miss out on any of these. So if you desire to live healthily, a plant-based lifestyle would be the way to go.
Read more – How to Start Living a Plant-Based Lifestyle
