In recent years, people have been proclaiming that a plant-based diet is great for you, especially for your health. Because of this, people have been trying this diet to see if it works for them.
This article should give you a basic understanding before you decide to start a plant-based diet. You will learn such things like what a plant-based diet is exactly and the pros and cons of this diet.
What is a Plant-Based Diet?
A plant-based diet is exactly as it sounds as it is a diet focused on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (lentils, beans, peas), nuts and seeds.
Foods such as meats (even fish and poultry) and eggs are at least reduced, if not excluded completely. While processed or refined foods like sugar and bleached flour are completely cut out of a person’s diet.
Is This Diet Similar to A Vegan or Vegetarian Diet?
It depends on what you mean. If you mean adding more fruits and vegetables and eating little to no meat, then yes. However, there are big differences between the diets.
Firstly, people on a plant-based diet choose not to eat processed foods. They focus their diet on vegetables, dark leafy greens, fruits, and other healthy whole plant-based foods like beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Meanwhile, vegans and vegetarians choose and continue to eat processed foods. This is why a plant-based diet is similar but very different from vegan and vegetarian diets.
Pros
The most important factor of this diet is the health benefits that come along with it. A plant-based diet can help lower the risks of health conditions.
Besides lowering the risks of various health problems there are other positive benefits from this diet. Studies have shown that people on any plant-based diet which includes vegan and vegetarian, are shown to live longer than those who eat a lot of meat.
People on a plant-based diet are also shown to have more energy.
How Healthy is It for Me?
Some people can cut out meat entirely from their diet and still be healthy, but others cannot do so. If you cannot cut out meat from your diet, then you should reduce the amount you eat.
Whether you decide to go on a plant-based diet or not is up to you. However, it cannot be denied that the pros outweigh the cons in most aspects.
But it is extremely important to consult your doctor before starting any diet. As you do not know how a diet can affect your personal health.