10 Tips to Success for Adopting a Plant-Based Diet

Health It is better to focus on being healthy rather than on losing weight or dieting. Focusing on weight loss tends to lead to an unhealthy relationship with food. Adopting a “healthy lifestyle” is proven to have the best long term results. The goal is to be healthy inside and out. Health is achieved by meeting the nutritional needs of your body without deficiencies and toxicity and supporting the alkaline design of the body therefore achieving harmonious balance. It is when the body is out of balance that the disease state occurs. When eating a healthy diet you bring your body back into balance. You will naturally lose weight, have more energy, sleep better and feel better. ​ What You Can Eat Focus on all the amazing food that you can eat, rather than focusing on what not to eat. There is so much variety and abundance on a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet is not restricted by calories. Since plants are naturally low in calories and high in fiber, you are able to eat until you feel satisfied. Focus on alkalizing foods that support the natural design of the body. Adding Healthy Foods The more you increase the amount of healthy foods in your diet, the less room there will be for less healthy foods. Overtime, you will gradually eliminate the unhealthy foods all together. Superfoods Eat superfoods everyday. You want to consume superfoods everyday for optimal health. (See the list of Superfoods). These foods reduce acidity and support alkalinity in the body in addition to reducing inflammation, strengthen the blood, boost immune function, supply the body with vital nutrients, and so much more. Fiber Plants are a great source of fiber. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, potatoes and whole grains are all a great source of fiber. The fiber in the plants will help to fill you up so you are not hungry and is crucial for the proper functioning and health of the intestines. Water Drink plenty of water. It is very important to keep hydrated throughout the day. Water plays a key role in the transport of nutrients and chemical reactions within your body. Hydration is also important for keeping your immune system strong. Water is the best choice for hydration. Drink smart, you don’t want to end up drinking your calories. Sleep It is important to get a good night's sleep. Studies show that lack of sleep increases Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, which can increase appetite and increase fat storage. Also, sufficient sleep is important in keeping your immune system strong and is when the body repairs cells and works to eliminate acids and wastes. As you start eating healthier, you will sleep better. Read Labels The best food choices actually don’t have labels. Most of your food should come from the produce section in the grocery store. There are no labels for fresh fruit and vegetables. Any items you do buy that come in a package, you must read the label. One rule of thumb is there should be very few ingredients. You want to avoid foods with unhealthy oils, sugar and any chemicals or preservatives. Also, if there is a word you can’t pronounce or do not recognize, that is a clue not to buy it. Eat at Home Eating at home will save you money and you will be able to prepare healthier food. Food prepared at restaurants typically is made with unhealthy oil, lots of sodium, sugar and other unhealthy additives, such as, flavor enhancers and preservatives. These are acidic foods which can lead to weight gain and they are the contributing factors to type two diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Meal and Snack Plan If you plan your meals and snacks, you will be more likely to stick to eating healthy. When you know what you have planned for dinner, you will be less likely to run through the drive through. You will be less likely to get the “munchies” when you have your snacks already prepared and eat them at your scheduled snack times.