When you hear the term “plant based diet”, what do you think? If you’re like a lot of people, you might not know exactly what is meant by this term, or how to incorporate these principles into your life. But since plant based diets are lauded as healthy for all of us, it’s a good idea to learn the facts.

Plant based and vegan are not the same thing. “Plant based” simply means that you base the majority of your diet on plant sources. Some people who follow a plant based diet are vegan or at least vegetarian, but not all are. It is possible to center your diet around plants and still consume some protein from meat, dairy, and eggs if you wish. And on that note…

Yes, you can get enough protein from a plant-based diet. Plenty of plant sources provide complete proteins, such as buckwheat, quinoa, soy, and chia or hemp seeds. Plus, as we already mentioned, you can base your diet in plant sources and still eat some animal products if that is what you feel is best.

No, plant based doesn’t necessarily mean carb based. You might fear that a plant based diet will include too many carbs, and not enough protein and fat. However, you can opt for low-carb options like cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, leafy greens, and cruciferous veggies for many of your meals. Avoid heavy starches from potatoes and corn if you don’t want to consume too many carbohydrates. And, of course, you can still obtain plenty of fat from sources like olive oil and nuts.

Plant based diets are accessible to everyone. You really can shift to a plant based diet without breaking the bank. Avoid the pricey, heavily marketed “substitute” foods like vegan cheese and “meat” products, and focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, rice, and so on. You might need to brush up on your cooking skills and give up fast food (which you should anyway), but it’s entirely possible to eat a plant based diet affordably.

As you shift your diet to include more healthy plant sources, give us a call if you have any questions about a weight loss plan or anti-aging regimen. We can help you adjust your eating plan to meet your health goals.