what is plant-based?

plant-based is a type of lifestyle constructed around eating mostly, or entirely, plant-sourced foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds)! depending on one's needs, some animal products or bi-products might be included, though the intent is to eliminate as many non-plant foods as possible. this limits processed foods (think: chips, cookies, etc. (basically most things that come in packaging!)) but does not mean you can never have bread or dessert again! in fact, most dessert ideas are derived from plant sources (cacao, fruits, etc.) and many breads are made from nut and seed starters. this is not a restrictive diet; it is a way to fully nourish our bodies through what the earth provides naturally!

is this a diet?

to start, the word ‘diet’ has garnered a very bad wrap over the last few decades, conditioning most people to associate it with something restrictive. in fact, by definition, diet means no more than the “food and drink regularly provided or consumed”. because there are many types of diets out there (vegan, paleo, keto, etc.) that focus on - or limit - specific things (oftentimes in search of weight loss), a negative connotation with the word ‘diet’ has evolved.

this being said, technically plant-based eating would be a diet but not in the way we might commonly consider. this diet (interchangeable with meal plan and lifestyle!) is full of whole, earth nutrients and is practiced as a means to better health and longevity, not a quick fix.

but what can i eat?

so! many! things! instead of thinking of this as a form of restriction, let's open the self up to the possibilities that await! we get to eat as many earth nourishing things the body could want. we're not counting calories (unless this is something a particular individual would like to try) or limiting the amount we put on our plate. by eating whole foods, we can consume as much as our bodies crave - no restrictions! we will work on balancing our plates (enough healthy fats, carbohydrates, vegetables, grains, etc.) and creating ways to satisfy our nutritional desires, all while limiting the refined and processed foods the typical american diet consists of. these changes might seem radical, but they are sure to leave the body clean, healthy, and sustained.

do i need to shop organic?

first, let's decipher the main difference between organic and conventional (non-organic). in order to be certified organic, produce must be grown in soil that has no prohibited substances (like chemicals and pesticides). in products that are not fruits and vegetables (like meats, grains, etc.), organic means these products do not contain any (or minimal) hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives. the choice to buy organic is up to each individual person. it is my own belief that if the choice is buy conventional fruits/veggies or don't buy at all, buy conventional! the benefits of having fruit that has *possibly* been sprayed with a pesticide far outweigh those of not consuming the product at all. i, personally, shop a hybrid: some organic (mostly when on sale!) and some conventional!

how will i get enough protein?

this is one of the most common questions people on a plant-based diet get. first, let's eliminate the idea that protein only comes from meat. frankly, there are more ways to get protein on a plant-based diet than a carnivorous diet! we have soy (tofu), lentils, all beans, nuts, and seeds (not to mention plants themselves!). for instance, 100g of chia seeds have 17g of protein vs. 27g of protein in 100g of chicken. yes, there's a 10g difference, but eating 2 or 3 times the amount of chia seeds a day vs. 2 or 3 times the amount of chicken is not only not bad for you (think: intestinal blockage, hormone imbalance, etc.) it's actually good for you! despite what mass media portrays, there are plenty of way to sustain on a plant-based diet!

do i have to meal prep?

meal prepping is easily one of the best things to do to help your future self! by batch cooking meals, having food prepped and ready to serve, and planning in advance, it's easy to avoid food waste and overwhelm when meal time comes. spending a day or half day cooking grains (rice, oats) for your bowls or breakfast is a great way to start! something as simple as pre-chopping vegetables and storing them in an air tight container helps to cut down time when you're looking to cook something quick. i am a huge proponent of the freezer and frequently cook foods in bulk and freeze them in serving sizes so they're ready to thaw and re-heat (no actual cooking required day-of!). meal prepping by no means has to be done, but i definitely find it to be more helpful than not!

any other questions? send them my way!