The term "plant-based" can seem strange or confusing if you don't know exactly what it means. And even if you do, the thought of eating plant-based can be overwhelming. Today I want to share the definition of a plant-based diet and address some of the main concerns you may have about eating this way.
A plant-based diet consists of fruit, vegetables, nuts & seeds, beans, and whole grains, with minimal to no processed foods or animal products. Plant-based means what it sounds like: a diet based in plants. Not too complicated.
What will I eat?
There are TONS of food options when you eat plant-based.
- Fruits: Apples, Bananas, Berries, Grapes, Peaches, Pineapples, Mangoes, Pears, Dates, etc.
- Vegetables: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Kale, Carrots, Peppers, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Eggplant, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Parsnips, Potatoes, etc.
- Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, Pecans, Pistachios, Brazil Nuts, Peanuts (technically a legume), etc.
- Seeds: Hemp, Chia, Flax, etc.
- Beans: Lentils, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Chick Peas, Black-Eyed Peas, Soy Beans/Edamame, Tofu/Tempeh, etc.
- Grains: Quinoa, Oats, Barley, Buckwheat, Millet, Teff, Rye, etc.
Where will I get my protein?
This is a loaded question.
But the short answer is that every whole food (like those listed above) has some protein. Some foods have higher protein content than others.
For example, a serving of lentils has about 8-10 grams of protein, a serving of spinach has about 5 grams of protein, and a banana has 1 gram of protein. When you eat a variety of whole plant foods, you will get plenty of protein (even if you're an athlete).
But I love to eat cheese (or some other non-plant-based food).
Try not to think about foods that you won't eat anymore, instead, think about ALL the foods that you CAN eat.
To ease your transition, gradually replace foods that aren't plant-based with those that are. Or, if you wan't to get super creative, there are plenty of plan-based recipes that imitate the flavors of cheese or ice cream or other non-plant-based foods. Recipes to come!
Isn't a plant-based diet more expensive?
It depends. There are definitely expensive plant-based foods: goji berries, spirulina, etc. These foods are NOT necessary to eat a healthy plant-based diet. If you focus on foods such as beans and grains, which you can buy in bulk, you can easily spend less money than you would on fast food or meat products and actually save money on a plant-based diet.
I don't know how to cook fancy meals, what do I do?
If you don't want to eat fancy meals, you don't have to. Cook beans and grains in water. Steam vegetables. Eat fruits, nuts, and seeds raw. Eating plant-based can be as simple or complicated as you make it.
If you want to eat fancy meals, you can. Start with a recipe you think you can manage and work up form there!
What does God say about eating plant-based?
When God created the earth, He told Adam and Eve what they should eat saying,
"'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be your food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food.'" (Genesis 1:29-30)
God gave us fruits and vegetables and plants that grow from the ground. It wasn't until after the fall and the flood, when man started eating meat. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I'm still struggling with making a decision.
Think about your health. Are you overweight? Do you have an autoimmune disease? Are you tired all the time? Do you have digestive issues? All of these ailments and more have been reduced or reversed with a plant-based diet.
Think about your faith. Before humanity fell from grace, God called us to eat plants.
What do I do now?
Start. Try eating plant-based for 30 days. See how you feel.
Pray. Ask God if this is the right path for you.
Live. Live the healthy, nourishing, healing lifestyle God intended for you.
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