8 Practical Tips For Living a Healthy, Plant-Based Lifestyle

Plant-based eating involves casting meat aside and fully centering your diet around plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It is a healthy and sustainable way to eat, and if you’re willing to work on your culinary skills, it can be delicious and satisfying too.

If you are new to plant-based eating or if you are looking for ways to add more fruits, vegetables, and grains to your diet, here are eight tips to get you on the right path:

Tip 1: Veggie Overload

One of the best ways to increase your intake of plant foods is to load up half your plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner. This will help you get your daily required intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

There are many different ways to enjoy vegetables. You can eat them raw, cooked, or roasted. You can also add them to soups, stews, and smoothies.

Here are a few ideas for incorporating more vegetables into your diet:

• Start your day with a veggie omelet or smoothie.
• Add a side salad to your lunch or dinner.
• Snack on raw vegetables with hummus or salsa.
• Roast vegetables and add them to your favorite pasta dishes or grain bowls.
• Add vegetables to soups, stews, and curries.

Tip 2: Rethink This Meat Thing

Meat is not a required component of a healthy diet. In fact, eating too much of it can even cause harm.

If your goal is to add more plant-based foods to your diet, scale down your meat portions and give it a new role as a sidekick rather than the star of the show.

There are many ways to enjoy meat without making it the center of your meal. For example, you can add ground beef or turkey to tacos, chili, or pasta sauce. You can also add fish or cubes of chicken to stir-fries or salads.

Tip 3: Fats are Important Fuel

You don’t want to forget about fats. Healthy fats are an essential part of a plant-based diet. They provide energy, support brain health, help your body absorb nutrients, and perhaps most importantly, keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Some good sources of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

Here are a few ways to add more healthy fats to your diet:

• Drizzle olive oil on vegetables before roasting them.
• Add avocado to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies.
• Snack on nuts and seeds throughout the day.
• Use nut butter as a spread on toast or crackers.
• Add ground flaxseed or chia seeds to oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.

Tip 4: Meatless Mondays (or Whichever Day Most Floats Your Boat)

One way to add more plant-based meals to your diet is to designate one day per week as Meatless Day. This is a great day to experiment with new vegetarian recipes and try different ways to enjoy plant foods.

If you’re not sure where to start, let us throw out a few suggestions your way:

• Vegetarian chili
• Lentil soup
• Black bean burgers
• Veggie stir-fry
• Pasta with tomato sauce and vegetables
• Tofu scramble
• Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Tip 5: Morning Grains

Grains are a good source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. They are also a good source of B vitamins, which are essential for energy production and metabolism.

Incorporating grains into your breakfast is a great way to start your day off on the right foot.

Here are a few ideas for grain-based breakfasts:

• Oatmeal with berries and nuts
• Quinoa porridge with fruit and yogurt
• Buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup
• Barley bowl with avocado and eggs

Tip 6: Greens Galore

Leafy green vegetables are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Leafy green vegetables can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You can eat them raw, cooked, or steamed. You can also add them to smoothies or juices.

Here are a few ideas for incorporating more leafy green vegetables into your diet:

• Add spinach to smoothies or juices.
• Use kale as a base for salads or wraps.
• Sauté collard greens with garlic and olive oil.
• Steam Swiss chard and serve it with a side of quinoa.
• Add spinach or kale to soups and stews.

Tip 7: Salad Showstopper

Salads are a great way to get a variety of plant foods in one meal. They are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

They don’t even have to be boring lettuce-based concoctions, either. To create a satisfying salad, start with a base of leafy greens, such as spinach or kale. Then, add a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots.

Tip 8: Make It Fun!

Plant-based eating doesn’t have to put you to sleep at the dining room table. There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking and baking with plant foods. With some time management, experimentation, and variety, you can succeed at creating satisfying, nourishing meals that put meat on the backburner, if not eliminate it completely.