What is plant-based eating?

     A few years ago I attended the first annual Plant-Based Prevention of Disease (P-POD) Conference wherein physicians, dietitians, researchers, and other health care professionals gathered to discuss evidence-based data on the benefits of prescribing a whole food plant-based lifestyle.  We had all heard by then that chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and heart disease were preventable to some extent, and even reversible with changes in lifestyle and dietary choices.  Being a vegan dietitian, I was anxious to hear from well-respected professionals on how to address a new eating pattern with clients.  Early on in the conference, however, we were warned not to use the word “vegan” with clients as this could be a turn-off.  And truly, in all my years of practice, I have found this to absolutely be the case.  In fact I rarely mention that I am vegan.

     So why are many people turned off by the word “vegan”?  And is a whole foods plant-based diet different from a vegan diet?  A dietary vegan is defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as someone who excludes all flesh foods (meat, poultry, and seafood) and also excludes eggs and dairy products, and possibly honey.  With this general definition, a vegan diet could consist of Cocoa Puffs, veggie-bologna on white bread, Twizzlers, French fries… you get it – there is a lot of junk out there that is not made from any animal products.  Many vegans, however, are also social vegans who exclude all animal products like leather or fur, work to advocate for animal rights and also focus on planning a well-rounded healthful diet.

     A person switching to a whole food plant-based diet may or may not want to take on the values of a social vegan, rather, the focus is mainly on eating unprocessed or minimally processed plant foods and staying away from or minimizing the intake of animal-based foods or products, mostly for health reasons.  Plant protein over animal protein is the focus, but whole food plant-based eating includes a small amount of flexibility for those who feel too restricted to give up animal foods completely.

     So while a becoming a whole food plant-based eater is similar to being a dietary vegan, it is much more.  It is a direction or goal that everyone can benefit from no matter what your health goals may be.  Contact me at 214-727-0746 to set up an initial assessment and discuss how you specifically may benefit from a whole food plant-based diet.