What is vegan food?
A plant based, vegan diet will help prevent disease, and keep you vibrant, young and full of energy!
Nothing has as great an effect on your well-being than your daily food choices, for good or ill.
A healthy plant based diet includes fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains. Although a plant based diet is not necessarily vegan, it is centered primarily around plant-based food.
A vegan diet does not include any animal products at all, including dairy, meat and honey. Vegans will also avoid leather, fur and products tested on animals.
Eat real food
Everywhere you look, unhealthy foods surround us. You literally can’t get away from it! There are chips, cookies, and processed “snacks” everywhere, even gas stations!
Once you have decided to eat real foods, you’ll see how much space and energy is devoted to nutritionally empty junk in most grocery stores.
Plants are full of all the nutrients our body needs-fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, and yes, even protein.
And there is such a wide variety of plants to try-you’ll never get bored because you will always have something new to discover.
While everyone’s body is different to some degree, experts agree that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables is the key to glowing health.
There are many ways to eat a plant based diet, including raw food, but our philosophy is that the key to success is to eat a whole food plant based diet-low in sugar, fat, processed foods, refined grains and gmo’s. That is why we try to share recipes that are gluten free (whenever possible) and that celebrate seasonal produce.
What are some of the health benefits of a plant based diet?
Diabetes Prevention-387 million are living with diabetes at a tremendous cost to their quality of life. This disease has been proven to be manageable, or even reversed, with a plant based diet.
Reduce Hypertension-tons of research, including from the Harvard School of Public Health, shows that plants are key to lowering blood pressure, which is key to preventing heart disease and stroke! Pass the peas, please!
Prevent Heart Disease-studies have shown dramatic reductions in risk of heart disease the more people eat fruits and vegetables. In particular, the work of Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn using a low fat, plant based diet to treat heart disease patients is remarkable!
Weight Loss-vegetarians tend weigh less and have a lower body mass index than non vegetarians. Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fiber and low in calories-so you can eat more of them, stay full longer and never have to sweat the calories! Plus, a meal high in fruits and vegetables won’t leave you feeling heavy and tired.
Increase Fiber Intake-fiber is abundant in all plants (unlike meat and dairy, which contain no fiber), and is essential for keeping your colon and digestive tract healthy. High fiber foods keep you regular, which prevents putrefaction and colon diseases like diverticulitis and colon cancer.
Vision Health-it’s a well known saying that carrots help you see better, but other plant based foods are full of beneficial compounds that aid sight. The pigments lutein and zeaxanthin (found in spinach, kale, corn kiwi and grapes) help prevent cataract and macular degeneration.
Glowing Skin-I can tell you from personal experience that a plant based diet will help prevent acne and give you smooth glowing skin!
Plants are great sources of antoxidants, which help prevent sun damage, and vitamin C which stimulates the production of collagen.
And don’t forget about sulfur and silica, known as a beauty mineral. Make sure you include lots of leafy greens, cucumbers, brown rice, oats and other whole grains, beets, and root vegetables to load up on these benefits!
So what do I eat on a plant-based diet?
A healthy plant based diet is full of variety, mostly made up of fresh fruits and vegetables, with modest consumption of grains, nuts, seeds and oils. Avoiding processed foods is important-in the forms of breads, meat substitutes, soy products, sweets and flours.
Simplicity is key!
For breakfast, big fruit smoothies, chia puddings and smoothie bowls are hydrating and energizing.
Luches are a great time to eat a big salad, and have a cup of warming soup or a piece of fruit for a snack.
For dinner, consider some sauteed vegetables and roasted sweet potatoes, or a simple vegetable pasta or rice dish.
A plant based diet does not have to be expensive or difficult. Stay tuned and we’ll provide lots of tasty, easy options for transitions to a plant based diet.
Are you new to eating plant based foods? Feel free to ask any questions about concerns you have.
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