Plant-Based Diet

5 Ways a Plant-Based Diet Will Improve Your Health and Lifestyle

In recent years, eating a plant-based diet has come under scrutiny, and it’s become more apparent what you eat plays a significant role in your health and wellness. Heart disease, cancer, obesity – these are just a few of the health issues you are likely to face if you eat processed foods, sugary snacks and frequent the fast food drive-thru.  If you find your favorite foods in that last sentence, not only is your diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, but you consistently fill up on foods that have zero nutritional value. Do you wonder why you have no energy to get you through the day and why you are constantly craving food? Your body is silently screaming at you to give it something nutritious!

Adding more plant-based foods to your diet may be one of the best things you can possibly do. Here are five ways a plant-based diet will improve your overall health and wellness.

1. Energy: One of the wonderful benefits you will enjoy when you add more plant-based foods to your diet is that your energy level will noticeably increase. Plants based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds provide the nutrients your body needs to thrive. The more you fuel your body with real food, the more energy you’ll have to get you through your day. If you notice you feeling drained, think back about the foods you consumed. Make it a point to add a few more healthy choices to your plate. Taking this simple step has the potential to help you feel like a brand new person.
2. Immune System: Although there are many risk factors that contribute to a weakened immune system, your diet is one you can definitely control. A diet high in fat and sugar can wreak havoc on your overall health and can cause you to become sick more frequently. There are several plant-based foods that can help boost your immune system, and they include garlic, spinach, citrus fruits (lots of Vitamin C) and almonds. These foods and many others can improve your chances of warding off sickness during cold and flu season. They can also help you feel better and more energetic all year long.

3. Heart Disease: One of the benefits of a plant-based diet is that you will have reduced risk for health issues such as heart disease. The Standard America Diet (SAD) consists of red meat – a lot of it. Meat is high in saturated fat, and when eaten consistently, has been shown to contribute to heart issues. When you load up on plant-based foods and reduce your meat consumption, it does your heart and overall health a huge favor. If you are a meat love, you don’t have to give up eating meat entirely. Simply cut back and replace it with lean meats such as chicken, pork and fish; save the steak and burgers for a special occasion. Less meat and more plant-based meals have been shown to lessen the risk of other health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer.

4. Environmental Benefit: Not only is a plant-based diet great for your health, it contributes to a healthier, less polluted environment. Livestock farming plays a big part in global warming because of all the greenhouse gas emissions created. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock farming is responsible for creating around 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Try setting aside one or two “meat free” nights a week where you load up on plant-based foods instead. It may not completely fix the problem, but if we all do it, it will be a huge help in reducing the pollution caused by meat production.

5. Better Nutrition: Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients as well as fiber. Fiber has many health benefits, but it’s something you don’t often get enough of in our diet especially if you eat a lot of processed food. Not only does it help you maintain a healthy weight, but your gut and heart will also benefit from a daily dose of this plant-based nutrient. Choosing a more plant-based lifestyle will ensure you fuel your body with the right kinds of nutrients so it can function at 100%.

Choosing to add more plant-based foods to your plate is probably one of the best things you can do for your health and for your lifestyle. You don’t have to become full on vegetarian and cut meat out forever. Simply be aware of the foods you’re eating, and choose to eat a more plant-based diet by adding more fruits and veggies on a daily basis.

Doing this will go a long way to maintaining a healthier, stronger, leaner you!

Helping You Achieve Major Wellness!

Cheryl A Major, CNWC

I’m author, health coach, and entrepreneur Cheryl A Major, and I would love to connect with you! If you’re new to the world of creating better health, both mental and physical for yourself, please check out my training on how to get gluten out of your diet. Becoming Gluten Free Me is where to check it out. Learn how gluten affects us and how to go about reducing or eliminating it from your diet. You don’t have to suffer with Celiac Disease to benefit from getting gluten out of your life!

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