Happy New Year Everyone!
It’s 2021 and we’re starting the New Year on one of the healthiest eating paths I know of: Whole Foods, Plant Based (WFPB for short!).
3 Basic Tenents of a Plant-Based Diet:
- Base your diet around Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains and Legumes.
- Greatly limit the consumption of Meat, Seafood, Dairy and Eggs
- EXCLUDE highly-processed, refined foods.
Let’s Eat WFBD in 2021!
It’s the Secret Weapon for a lot of Elite Level Athletes
If the idea of getting back to basics with food sounds appealing – you’re not alone! Whole Foods, Plant-Based (WFPB) has become ridiculously popular with health minded peeps like you and me, celebrities and a LOT of elite & professional athletes looking to get the edge on performance, strength and endurance (ya gotta watch The Game Changers for this!)
I roped the fam into it too – of course
Of course if I’m doing it – that means Oliver, my sister & my parents are getting roped into it too, right? Honestly – everyone (surprisingly) has been loving it.
Even my Louisiana, Coca Cola-gumbo-snickers-and-cheetoh-loving cajun dad is doing it – and loves it! Am I in some sort of an alternate universe or what?
Before going Whole Foods Plant-Based, we had lots of questions – and I’ll bet you do too…..
7 Most Asked Questions of Plant-Based Eating
Vegetables, Fruits, Whole Grains, Nuts, Seeds & Beans are the Focus of the Whole Foods Plant Based Diet.
1. Where will I get my PROTEIN?
“We need meat for Protein,” is one of the biggest misconceptions.
For literally decades, we’ve been programmed to believe that meat & eggs = protein, and that we need a TON of it (protein, that is) to build lean muscle mass. This is just flat out untrue. Great marketing, but untrue.
The truth is, Protein is found in all foods. If you’re eating a balanced diet, it’s impossible not to get enough of it. A plant-based diet offers plenty of healthy, clean protein. Legumes, grains and most greens contain more than enough protein even for elite athletes.
2. Will I be HUNGRY?
Not at all. Eating Plant Based is actually very filling and satiating, due in part to all of the fiber and protein inherent in legumes, veggies and grains. Personally, I’m staying perfectly full in between meals – to the extent that I haven’t wanted my usual snacks!
For guys, my husband Oliver has always been a huge meat & fish eater. As in, he’d have a 12-oz serving of meat or fish with both lunch and dinner. He’s 6”2, 220-lbs, works out hard 6-days a week.
Believe me – if he was hungry on this program, I’d hear about it. He feels full, satisfied and strong on the program. I made him watch The Game Changers, which is about all of the UFC, NFL players & other tough-guys who eat WFPB. That was all it took – he was in, lol.
3. Will I GAIN WEIGHT?
You’ll probably lose weight, depending upon what your current diet looks like. If you’re eating a lot of processed foods & sugary snacks on the daily, the pounds should shed pretty easily. If you already eat a pretty healthy diet – you may drop a few, like I did.
Honestly, the weight-thing, is the FIRST thought that crossed my mind & I was kinda nervous about it. I’ve always thought of Chicken, fish & egg whites as the “best sources for protein,” and beans & whole grains as carbs that would pack on the pounds. Not necessarily true.
In reality, beans are very high in protein & fiber – both of which keep you fuller, longer and stabilize blood sugar. Personally, after 3-weeks of eating this way – I’ve actually dropped a couple of pounds because I wasn’t as hungry due to all of the fiber in the diet.
The key is to incorporate a lot of veggies alongside your beans and whole grains. All of the recipes on the site, are meant to do just that. Use them as a guide 😉
Tired of reading? Watch the VIDEO instead 😉
4. Don’t I need milk for CALCIUM?
Nope! You can get plenty by picking healthy sources of calcium like dark leafy greens, beans & cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts and arugula.
Foods you already love….made HEALTHY with Plant-Based, Whole Foods. We’ll be posting LOTS of yummy recipes all year long 😉
5. Is WFPB the same as VEGAN?
No. They’re similar – but not the same. While both target meat, fish, dairy and eggs – Vegans totally ban these foods from their diet, whereas WFPB just limits them in favor of mainly Plant-Based foods.
Second, WFPB is actually a healthier way of eating. Not only is it based on eating whole, plant based foods – it goes a step further by eliminating foods that are heavily processed or refined, which veganism does not.
Since a vegan diet is essentially the absence of animal, dairy & eggs, a vegan could go her entire life eating gummy-bears and drinking Coke, and still be considered vegan. That’s an extreme example – but you get the point.
6. If it says “Plant-Based,” it’s HEALTHY, Right?
Not necessarily. That’s why the words “Whole Foods” are so important – they (by definition) exclude overly processed, packaged, sugary, unhealthy foods, some of which are labeled “Plant-Based” – but read the list of ingredients!
You want to see ingredients that you’d find in your own kitchen. If it’s full of things you can’t pronounce…. It’s probably not healthy for you. Focus primarily on Whole-Foods & limit the amount of processed foods in your diet.
If you’re already lovin’ Oatmeal or Overnight Oats with Fruit & Nuts for breakfast – Congrats! That’s a perfect WFPB meal 😉
7. How do I order in a RESTAURANT?
Yup – great question. The beauty of WFPB, is that it does allow for occasional meat, seafood, dairy & eggs. I plan on using this caveat for times that I’m in a pinch – like dinner at someone’s house, where I don’t want to be “THAT Woman.”
You know what I’m talkin’ about….the one who’s a total PITA to have over because she won’t eat anything? I once knew a girl who, no joke – would BRING a chopped chicken breast to the restaurant, in her handbag and throw it into her green salad, no dressing. Nightmare. Anyway, I digress.
If given a choice of meat or fish – take a small piece of the fish. Load up on veggies, salads and if available – beans, sweet potatoes. Make it work.
Restaurants.
The beauty of living in Southern California, is that a LOT of restaurants either cater directly to vegan & plant-based, OR they at least have a nice selection of options to choose from. Before picking a restaurant, pull up an online menu and see if you like the options prior to making a rezy.
If invited out to dinner – again, just make it work the best you can, by choosing best options:
- Fish over meat.
- Load up on veggies & greens.
- Skip creamed soups. They’re usually loaded w/ butter and cream.
Try it!
Plant-Based is such a healthy, beneficial way of eating that honestly, my first thought after starting and loving it myself – was to share it with all of you too.
Whether you want to jump in with both feet or start with a few small changes – you can’t go wrong eating more whole, nutritious foods. Enjoy!
