Plant based diets present many benefits including (but not limited to) clear skin, weight loss, better digestion, better sleep. Being plant based is also a good middle ground if you do not want to give up animal products totally. While vegan diets include all plants, a vegetarian diet includes some blend of plants, dairy, eggs and honey, plant based diets may supplement plants with small portions of meat, dairy, eggs and honey. While transitioning to a plant based diet can be a positive and health conscious decision, there are some things to consider before switching.
Transition gradually
When switching to a plant based diet, it is important to switch gradually to enable your body to adjust to the new routine. Switching suddenly can impact your hormones (e.g. period delays) and lead to other imbalances. Pay attention to how your body responds to the change and adapt accordingly.
Build your nutrient awareness
Educate yourself on different nutrients and their sources to ensure that you continue to consume a healthy diet. It is possible to get an adequate amount of protein from plant-based sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds. Plant based sources like leafy greens, legumes, and fortified plant milks are rich in iron and calcium, though absorption may be different from animal sources. Regardless of the diet you choose, incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds is essential for a healthy body.
Determine the vitamins and supplements you need to take
Depending on your diet, lifestyle and nutrition, you might need to supplement with nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D and others. Consult with a professional to guide you through the process. Either way, switching to a plant based diet requires taking vitamin B12 supplements, which is primarily found in animal products.
Be patient and enjoy the experimentation process
Plant based diet can be nice but takes practice and patience. This is your opportunity to experiment and find the sweet spot that aligns to your goals and your lifestyle; but that requires patience so give yourself some grace. Plant based meals do not only have to be made of boring tofu and tempeh, and it is absolutely possible to have the most banging and flavorful plant based meals and you will be a pro before you realise it. Our favorite plant based IG pages include rveganfood, bynaturefood and jensplantbase.
Before making any drastic changes, you should be clear on your why and consult with friends, nutritionists or healthcare professionals to ensure that you remain healthy in the process. Remember that everyone is different, and what works for you may not work for someone else. It is also ok to not be plant based and eat animal products, so the most important is really doing what works for you, regardless of peer pressure on social media.
