There are generally Two categories of people who transition to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.
They consist of:
1. Those who are already slim and fit but want to take their health to the next level and have more energy.
2. Those who are sick with disease and need to make this change in order to reclaim their health and shed weight.
Those who lie in the first category can be more lenient and make a slower transition if needed. These individuals may choose to never convert 100% and only become 90-95% plant based because eating high quality, organic animal produce a few times a month is not so detrimental for their health as those in the second category. Their focus is often on the whole food aspect of this diet and processedand junk foods are cut out completely.
Those in the second category are in greater need of making this lifestyle change because their health often depends on it. In these cases, a 100% ‘cold turkey’ approach is the most effective method because that is how results will happen most quickly. Both the whole, plant foods and the zero animal product approach are what will lead to a larger positive impact on this person’s health.
As mentioned above, easing into whole food, plant-based is not a choice that everyone has. However, the tips below will pave the way for anyone embarking on this journey and provide inspiration to make the transition both easier AND tastier for everyone.
1. Make a list of the foods that you already love which happen to be whole food, plant-based.(eg. Apples, sourdough bread, brown rice, potatoes, pasta, corn, tomato sauce, almonds). Then, eat more of these!
2. Make a list of whole food, plant-based foods that spark curiosity and you have not yet tried but would be open to incorporating into your diet.(eg. Okra, lentils, beans, aquafaba, brussel sprouts, peanut butter). Pick one up next time you go to the grocery store!
3. Use the Go Healthy app to find restaurants in your area that serve great plant-based food.Try Italian, Thai, Mexican, Indian and Japanese which all have fantastic plant-based dishes to choose from.
4. Buy a plant-based recipe book and fold down the pages on dishes that look good. Try them out!
5. Remove all animal product foods from your homeand donate them or give them to friends/family.Out of sight...out of mind.
6. Think about starting a food diary to keep track of what you do / donotlike and how you feel after eating certain foods.
7. Talk to someone you know who already eats whole food, plant-based and ask them what they found helpful in their transition or if they have any advice / favourite dishes.
8. Read up on the benefits of going whole food, plant-based and understand the positive impact it can have on your health and your waistline.