‘Plant Based’ Doesn’t Have to Be ‘Plant Only’!
Some people are put off by the idea of a ‘plant based’ diet because they think they’ve got to give up meat – but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
Increasing the quantity of vegetables, beans, pulses, whole grains, nuts and seeds that you eat is an excellent nutritional goal to work towards.
Research has consistently demonstrated that a diet high in plants helps to reduce the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plant based eating has also been shown to be beneficial to our mood and can help to balance our hormones.
It’s good to be flexible with your nutrition and by including more vegetables you might find the amount of animal protein naturally reduces as it makes way for the volume of plants!
If you’re looking to become more plant based with your eating patterns here are a few ideas:
Dilute the meat!
Add pulses, beans, vegetables and nut butters to stews, casseroles, chillies and curries you won’t notice any change to the flavour and you’re getting a more diverse range of nutrients.
Meat Free Days
Have a couple of evenings where you make a vegetarian recipe – there are some great resources available online to inspire you (or sign up to my email community and get a new recipe every Friday! – link in the bio). Once you have a couple of meals you enjoy start including them every week.
Change Proportions
Fill half of your plate with vegetables so you ‘crowd out’ the meat!
Don’t Swap For Pretend Meat!
Just because a product is labelled ‘plant based’ doesn’t mean it is healthy! A straight swap for a processed meat substitute is often not the best option - read the label and check for additives such as emulsifiers, preservatives, fillers etc.
Make It Taste good!
You are not going to stick with it if everything tastes bland! Use herbs, spices and different cooking and preparation methods to ensure that your plants taste wonderful!
Use Sprinkles
Sprinkle nuts and seeds onto salads, soups, porridge and curries for extra texture and nutrients. Or crisp up some kale in the oven and sprinkle over a pasta dish – it’s delicious!
If you would like some advice on how to improve your diet so you can start to feel more fabulous please get in touch or take a look at my services.