A plant-based diet consumes whole plant foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains. It also includes nuts, seeds, and legumes. A plant-based lifestyle does not necessarily mean veganism. It is also suitable for the environment to encourage people to eat natural, whole foods rather than processed ones with artificial ingredients.

It’s more than simple substitutions or buying vegan products at the supermarket. The foundation for a plant-based diet is a good understanding of nutrition. It is essential to start with a well-rounded whole foods diet before removing meat and replacing it with plant-based protein alternatives.

There are some things you should remember when choosing a plant-based food diet.

It’s the same as any other diet: it’s all about a calorie deficit.

It’s not because you don’t eat meat that you lose weight when you switch to a vegan diet. You could create a calorie surplus by cutting out dairy and meat.

Even though protein intake is essential, getting enough is still important.

Despite your goals or diet, protein is essential for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. It means something other than eating a lot of protein to bulk up. This is about eating enough to maintain muscle and bone mass, which is essential for health as we age and move. You should still consume enough protein, even if you don’t eat animal products.

Plant-based sources of protein:

Beans

— Lentils

Chickpeas

Edamame

— Protein pasta

Plant-based Protein Powder

Nut butter powder

High-fiber tortillas and wraps

Nutritional yeast

Tofu

Tempeh

— Spirulina

— Leafy green vegetables

Mushrooms

Whole foods are always preferred.

With the increase in plant-based food, the goal should be to stick with whole, unprocessed plant-based foods. Enjoying an Impossible Burger or chickenless Tacos occasionally is okay, but they should be something other than the mainstay of your plant-based diet.

Before making drastic changes, consider your diet to see if you can make minor, incremental improvements.