Plant-Based Diets - What's All The Fuss About?
Jan 27, 2020 11:25AM ● By Melanie Heisinger
Photo by Dennis Klein
It's no mystery that health trends are always evolving. Eggs are good for you one year, and then they aren't the next. There will always be some caveat, no matter what you're eating.
Lately - I want to say, perhaps within the last decade - it's become more and more common for plant-based diets to be seen in the main stream. In fact, we probably all know someone that is on the Keto Diet, one form of being plant-based.
There are plenty of different arguments out there, but let's break down what plant-based eating is, according to Healthline.com:
Lately - I want to say, perhaps within the last decade - it's become more and more common for plant-based diets to be seen in the main stream. In fact, we probably all know someone that is on the Keto Diet, one form of being plant-based.
There are plenty of different arguments out there, but let's break down what plant-based eating is, according to Healthline.com:
- Emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods.
- Limits or avoids animal products.
- Focuses on plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, which should make up the majority of what you eat.
- Excludes refined foods, like added sugars, white flour and processed oils.
- Pays special attention to food quality, with many proponents of the WFPB diet promoting locally sourced, organic food whenever possible.
Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that eating meat is completely eliminated, or any animal product for that matter, which is largely where people become confused. Of course, there are diets such as eating vegan, that do eliminate them, but general plant-based eating does not.
It is also different from the Keto Diet I mentioned above -- a diet in which the body is put in a state of ketosis by eating high-fat, plant-based foods in order to burn fat. Instead, this "diet" is actually simply a way of eating that focuses more on whole, real, foods.
Another benefit? Eating this way might even help you lose weight! Cutting out processed foods is a great step in the right direction. It also can help reduce a myriad of health problems and risks, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more.
When it comes to plant-based eating, there are so many resources out there to explore. US News has a great list of plant-based diets that is worth taking a look at if it is something you've been considering. Take a look here!
While this covers plant-based diets very generally, there is of course so much more out there. Hopefully this covers a few bases that might help you get started.
So, what do you think all the fuss is about?
Have you ever considered taking on a plant-based way of eating? Let us know in the comments!
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