I know what you’re thinking.

Here we go again. Another fad diet that isn’t going to help me lose any weight or change my body. This is just something else for someone to sell to me that doesn’t actually work. It cannot possibly be sustainable to not eat meat or eggs or dairy. What was it my mother used to tell me growing up? “Eat all your meat and vegetables so you can grow up big and strong. You need your protein and vitamins.” Or how about my daughter’s pediatrician? “How many servings of dairy is she getting a day? She needs her calcium so it should be at least two to three.”

But what if everything I was ever told was wrong? What if, in reality, I could not only survive, but thrive? What if this is the healthiest I have every been in my adult life? There’s a reason this was titled “lifestyle” and not “diet”. No one is counting calories. No one is measuring every portion on the plate. And most of all, the term diet is something temporary, whereas a lifestyle is a change in habit or perspective.

But all you eat is salad.

Wrong. On so many levels. Salad is not the only thing you can eat. As a matter of fact, the idea behind a plant-based diet, but more specifically a whole-food plant based diet, is that you are eating food that is grown. This includes legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and grains. It would blow your mind how many recipes can be found with just these ingredients. (Literally, Pinterest is a gold mine.) If you think I don’t still eat pizza or tacos, you’ve lost your mind. The difference is, I use healthier, whole-food ingredients.

“Isn’t that just vegan?” Well, yes, it is. The major difference is when using the term vegan, you are referring to no longer consuming animal products, usually for humane reasons. That, however, does not necessarily indicate consuming healthy foods. Twizzlers, Oreos, and various non-dairy ice creams, chips, and candy are still vegan. The term plant-based is used to define a lifestyle where the majority of foods consumed are generally whole-food plants. (Basically meaning not processed, because let’s face it, nothing that is processed in a factory somewhere is healthy… EVER.)

But why eat plant based? What are the benefits? If it’s so good for you, why does no one talk about it? Why would I do that instead of just cutting carbs or doing keto like I always do? It works every time! Listen below to Dr. Michael Greger talk about the research of plant based diets, compared with these other diets, and the health benefits that come from eating plant based.

It’s really that easy?

Yes, it is that simple. As Dr. Greger explains, we could be reversing effects of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by simply changing what we put in our mouths. Without the effects of calorie restrictions, removal of carbohydrates that fuel our body, or strictly measured portions. There is true, real, evidence-based research that explains the lasting effects of a whole food plant based diet. (Take a minute to scan the QR code Dr. Greger provides and read the article.) The diet not only assisted them in losing weight, it helped in the maintenance of weight loss. Weight loss is also only the beginning. It has positive effects on patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, and heart disease; among the top five killers in the United States. In my own research I was able to find articles that supported evidence of lower body mass index, improved vessel function and therefore healthier hearts, improved diabetic markers, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory responses, and anti-oxidants that decrease the risk of cancer.

But do I believe that? Is it really true? Could some articles and doctors talking about plant based diet really be all it takes? For me, it was. What was the worst that could happen if I cut out meat, eggs, and dairy? Would I miss something? Am I really that attached to food? Why could I cut out carbs but not meat? Won’t I be deficient in protein? How about my nutrients or vitamins?

In the interest of maintaining attention, I have already scoured YouTube and am posting some of the shortest informational videos you can find. Take a minute to watch this video that debunks some common myths about switching to a plant based diet.

If you’re looking for more evidence, or to have other beliefs debunked, spend some time on YouTube and type the words “plant based diet” into the search bar. There are thousands, maybe even millions of videos of doctors speaking about plant based diets, most of which are 45mins to multiple hours. Several of them are posted to Ted Talks. Others have found other forums, such as the several books and documentaries out now. To name a few, The Game Changers, What the Health, and Forks over Knives. 

This is only the beginning.

Plant based diets are becoming more popular. With the growing interest and population, several sources can be utilized for obtaining information regarding the plan, as well as recipe sources. To name a few:

• Instagram is like a treasure map. You follow one or two vegan/plant based pages or athletes, and suddenly more ads or suggested pages pop up with additional content. By clicking the icon on the bottom right of the picture or video, you can save the post to your archive. I save several yummy recipes this way.
• Facebook is pretty much the same. You can find popular vegan restaurants near you, and often find groups. There is a Facebook group “Rhode Island Vegans” where several people share recipes and favorite places to eat or order food.
• Pinterest. I mean, what can’t you find on there? From searching for vegan thanksgiving to vegan meal prep, it’s a never ending source of information.
• Traditional outlets such as google and cookbooks. One of my favorites is “Plant Based on a Budget” which offers extremely inexpensive meal ideas, all while eating healthy, non-processed foods.
• In the world of technology: apps. There are several apps available to you on your phone or tablet. Some are even put out by the documentaries mentioned above, such as Forks Over Knives. There are both recipe and meal planning apps available.

If you don’t feel like looking recipes up yourself, watch this last video for recommendations of how to throw together some meals without having any recipe knowledge. Here are a bunch of doctors and dietitians and how they eat plant based daily.

I am the living proof.

I’m not just sitting here preaching all of this healthy lifestyle nonsense to you without having tried it myself. I am a testimony to the research that’s been done. At eleven months of plant based eating, I am down 80lbs and 5 pant sizes smaller. Even bigger than that, I can see the inflammatory effects of eating a traditional diet. How you ask? Even when I weighed 15lbs less than I currently do, I was still 2 sizes bigger. Never in my adult life have I been healthier or felt better. My mood is better. My rest is better. My depression and anxiety are better. My skin is better. The data that scientifically proves how this diet can affect your body is out there if you have the drive to look for it. But if you don’t, I’m it, and here are the pictures to prove it.