Many people are attempting to make the transition to a Whole Food, Plant-Based lifestyle. The main reasons people have to do so are:
- Health: Plant-based diets are often associated with lower risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
- Animals: There is a growing concern about the way animals are treated and slaughtered for meat.
- Environment: It appears that animal agriculture may be a leading contributor to global warming.
So, you may be wondering, how do Iget started on a Whole Food, Plant-Based (WFPB) diet?
Get educated
There is lots of information available online about the components and benefits of a Whole Food, Plant-Based diet, as well as how to overcome challenges you may encounter.Plant-based lifestyle coaches can even help you with practical things such as how to do WFPB grocery shopping or what to do when dining out.
In terms of resources, Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers are great documentaries that are usually available to watch through Netflix or Amazon Prime.
The best book on the market is The China Study, written by Dr. Campbell, who goes into all the key research that has been done with regards to the effects of animal versus plant-based diets in China, of which the results will make you fall off your chair.
Websites such as NutritionFacts.org offer free educational content on a variety of health topics.
Connect with a community
To get started on a Whole Food, Plant-Based diet, is it important to connect with like-minded people? There are likely not many people in your environment who follow a plant-based diet, and thus it can be hard to get the right support in your direct surroundings.
Luckily, there are lots of online communities, especially on Facebook (groups), where you can ask questions and learn from others who are also transitioning to a Whole Food, Plant-Based diet.
Focus on the colours
When it comes to starting the actual WFPB diet, it is important to focus your attention on the positives. Many people focus on what they cannot or should not eat any longer, such as meat and dairy, but fail to focus on the wide variety of new options that become available when making the switch.
One thing you can do is to just focus on the colourful fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets and street markets. These colourful foods are not only packed with nutrients that are vital to our health, they are also a joy to the eye.
So, eat the rainbow and make it fun to explore new recipes by focusing on the colours.
Building new habits
As you make the switch, you will encounter some challenges, such as overcoming poor eating habits, doing the shopping differently, and learning how to cook differently.
Building new habits is one of the most rewarding yet challenging of things to do. The suggestion is to make a gradual transition in which you may go through a phase of elimination and accumulation. For example, this could mean that this month is all about quitting meat and adding more beans to your diet. Next month is focused on decreasing the intake of processed foods and instead increasing the intake of whole grains.
In this process, it is important to be gentle and kind to yourself. You are undergoing one of the biggest changes in your life. This is a time of excitement and learning.
Are you ready to take on the challenge?
