What is WFPB?
What is a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet and how does it differ from a vegan diet?
Diet: the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community typically eats.
A WFPB diet means eating foods that are not overly processed, have minimal ingredients, mostly are plants (fruits and veggies), whole grains, legumes, and tubers. It is that simple.
Research has shown that adopting a WFPB diet can reduce your risk of developing type-2 diabetes and can reverse symptoms, heart disease, types of cancer, and other illnesses and diseases.
As I see it there are two approaches to a WFPB diet. The first is one that includes very minimal animal products, this approach is helpful for those who are unsure of making the full transition to a completely plant-based diet and need a transition time. The ideal WFPB diet is one containing no animal products.
A vegan diet is one that includes no animal products but can include overly processed vegan foods like imitation meat, vegan cheese, and other processed foods. While on the surface most may think a vegan diet is healthy there is a way for it to be just as unhealthy as a standard Western diet. Overly processed foods, no matter what diet you follow, are not healthy. They include too much sodium, mystery ingredients, and not enough vitamins and minerals.
There is a misplaced belief about the vegan and WFPB community; that is it is all or nothing. Either you shun those who dare let animal products touch their lips or you are a carnivorous meat-eater spitting on plants. I mean that is absolutely ridiculous. Yes, there are people like that in the world and frankly they are both part of the problem. Believe it or not it is ok to not be so radical. There is a middle ground.
Every person has their own reasoning for wanting to change the way that they eat and switching to a WFPB diet looks different for everyone. Some the environmental impact may be what gets them to change, for others it could be for health and longevity, or it may be for the wellbeing of animals. I have good news! A WFPB diet will benefit each of those areas!
The Benefits of a Whole Food Plant Based Diet:
Disease Prevention, Longevity
Better for the environment
Simple weight management
Less animal cruelty
Better sleep, recovery, mood and energy on a daily basis
It can save you money
So if you are think about transitioning to a more WFPD diet whether it be for health, environmental, or moral reasons I have some tips for how you can get started.
Clean out your kitchen
Take all the overly processed food products out of your home
If it is not there you won’t be tempted to have it
Find some recipes
Have a handful of go-to recipes that you know you enjoy
Experiment with new food and new ways of cooking
Get support
Find a community (friends, family, Instagram, reddit, etc.)
Use people who have done this before to help you transition
Know your why
Like any new commitment you need to identify why you are doing it
By defining your why you are more likely to stick to it
Adopting a whole food plant based diet will lead you to a healthier, happier, and more conscious life.
Thinking about making some changes? Let me know, I can help.
