When it comes to changing eating behaviors and lifestyle, we help our clients answer these key questions:
- Why am I making this change?
- What do I expect from making this change?
- How will I make this new lifestyle work for me?
Another big question, especially when thinking about a plant-based diet, is: what level of plant-based do I want to be?
There are a few different plant-based diet types.
Vegetarian: Eliminate meat, poultry and fish. Some vegetarians allow eggs and dairy, some do not. Vegan (also known as plant based): Focus only on food from plants and eliminating all animal-based products
Once you’ve determined the parameters of your diet, there are a few steps you can take to help make the transition to a plant-based diet easier.
Download our 7 Day Vegan or Vegetarian Meal Plan to set yourself up for success!
Planning and Preparation
At first, it may take more time and more detail to plan your grocery shopping list and weekly recipes. Read food labels carefully to ensure the products you choose fit your plant-based guidelines. The extra time and extreme attention to detail will decrease over time as you develop favorite products and foods. That’s when you can begin to experiment with new and exciting recipes. Keep your recipes simple to start and focus on real foods. Stock up on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Try It Out Once A Week
Consider trying your plant-based diet by adapting one plant-based day per week. You’ll often hear the term “meatless Monday” that some companies (like Whole Foods hot bar) have featured. Trying a meatless day will give you a sense of what it’s like to try plant-based dishes for all of your meals. Again, planning will be helpful here. Knowing your meals ahead of time will help prevent unplanned snacking or last-minute meal swaps. Check out our blog about vegan meal planning. It provides a detailed walkthrough of how to build an entire day of meals and snacks to meet your nutritional needs while feeling full and energized.
Getting Started with a Vegan / Vegetarian Diet
If want to jump right to a plant-based diet, we’re all for it! Working with a dietitian or nutritionist will help make this transition easier. We will make sure you:
- Get adequate protein to stay satisfied throughout the day
- Include whole-grain and fiber-filled starches for all day energy
- Eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables to help you meet your nutritional needs.
Learn more about how we help clients with their vegetarian or plant-based diet before making the change.
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