A registered dietitian explains what a plant-based diet plan is and the benefits of following it.
Plus, breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas.
Unlike some diets that are passing fads (anyone you know still doing the cabbage soup diet?
), healthy eating experts say the popularity of following a plant-based diet plan ishere to stay.
But despite its popularity, theres still a lot of confusion around what going plant-based truly means.
Is it the same as being vegetarian?
…
Is dairy off the table?
Why are so many people into it in the first place?
Here to answer all these questions and more is registered dietitianJulieanna Hever, RD, aka thePlant-Based Dietitian.
What is a plant-based diet plan?
Vegetables
This one is self-explanatory.
Hever says that vegetables of all types have a place in plant-based eating.
Absolutely none are off-limits and there are no rules around any to minimize eating.
Fruit
Similarly, Hever says fruit across the board is part of plant-based eating.
Just like with veggies, none are off limits.
…
Whole grains
Whole grainsdescribe foods made from barley, oats, sorghum, buckwheat, or wheat.
Some examples of legumes includelentils, peas,chickpeas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts.
For her, that includes meat, dish, eggs, and dairy.
One is vitamin B12.
What are the benefits of a plant-based diet plan?
If you choose to do so, she says there are many ways it can benefit your health.
Its good for brain health
Besides benefitting the heart, plant-based eating has also been linked toimproving cognitive function.
To this point, vegetarians have a lower rate of cancer than people who eat meat.
Some of her go-to breakfasts are oatmeal, vegan pancakes, and tofu scramble.
As a result, its a delicious comfort food that wont spike blood sugar levels.
3.Tofu scramble
Intrigued by that tofu scramble idea Hever mentioned?
Heres a recipe to follow.
Besides theplethora of alt-meats on the market, she says legumes can really come in handy here.
Here are some other delicious ideas.
Incorporate vegan cheese in it for added protein.
Also inside are avocado slices (which add creaminess and healthy fats), and greens.
But she says that beans, legumes, and tofu can be used in creative ways here too.
(Just dont neglect the herbs, they play an important role here.)
2.Falafel pizza
Chickpeas strike again as a way to check off the protein and fiber dinner boxes.
The crust is made with gluten-free flour and chia seeds, which ups the fiber even more.
Theres no shortage of anti-inflammatory spices included, too.
These recipes are just a sampling of what eating plant-based can look like on a regular basis.
Literally anything you want to eat, theres a way to make it plant-based, Hever says.
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