ESPRITWOMENSHEALTH

What Is a Plant Based Diet?

A plant based diet is a diet where you only eat foods that come out of the ground and have not been processed in any way. The foods are generally consumed raw, but you can enjoy a lightly cooked meal at the end of the day.

Foods to Eat

Fruits. Fruits are the most tasty foods on the plant based diet, as they contain many natural sugars. Once your taste buds begin to recuperate from all the processed sugar, then you will be able to taste just as much sweetness from a banana as most people taste in their ice cream or banana cream pie.

Vegetables. Vegetables, especially leaf vegetables are said to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. However, the only thing with leaf vegetables is that they can be bitter, and may not be appealing when you first transition to the plant based diet.

Herbs. Herbs are also bitter, but as with leaf vegetables they are very healthy for you, and can even be used for medicinal purposes.

Nuts. Nuts are high in protein and other healthy fats, and thus they are a great substitute for meat. You can add nuts in with the rest of your foods, or you can take them along in a small bag or container and snack on them in between your meals.

Health Benefits

There are many health benefits associated with the plant based diet. One of the main benefits is that you can avoid many health problems and serious diseases so that you can enjoy a long and healthy life.

Cardiovascular Health. Heart disease is often caused by high cholesterol levels in the blood which can block and narrow the arteries causing the heart to work extra hard. This cholesterol comes from animal proteins and other saturated fats from processed foods. Plants do not contain unhealthy fats, and thus you can avoid high cholesterol levels so that you don’t have to worry about heart disease.

Cancer. Cancer has been widely associated with red meat. A raw plant based diet can provide you with all the necessary enzymes and amino acids to create the same nutrients in your body as what meat provides you with. Thus a raw food diet can help you to avoid cancer.

Diabetes. The diet can help you to avoid and even reverse the symptoms of diabetes as plants do not spike your sugar levels as most other foods will.

The best part about it is that you can make it a permanent part of your life for an overall better quality of life.