Many people turn their noses up to the idea of adding plant-based meals to their diets. They either believe they won’t like it or think you can’t get all the nutrients you need from a plant-based meal. When, in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Studies show eating less meat decreases the risk of several major illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and type-2 diabetes.
We live in a society highly reliant on incorporating meat, dairy, and eggs into our diets. So, the thought of even adding a few plant-based meals into your diet can seem daunting. But, don’t stress it. Eating plant-based doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the foods you love or eat regularly. Instead, it means that you make an effort to choose more of your foods from plant sources. If you want to start incorporating plant-forward meals, here are some ways you can make it happen
Don’t rush it
Whether you want to eat a few plant-based meals or transition entirely away from meat, you don’t have to do it all at once. Instead, you can gradually replace milk, meat, and other animal products with plant-based alternatives. Taking your time allows you to decide what you like and how plant-forward you want your meals.An excellent way to transition is to start with one plant-based meal a week and build it around vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
Change how you view meat
It’s hard not to want to devour all of a perfectly cooked twelve-ounce ribeye in one sitting. But, for more plant-forward meals, you want to think of meat as more of a garnish than the main course. Remember, you can get the needed proteins from foods like lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas.
Load up on veggies and leafy greens
At lunch and dinner try to have half your meal consist of vegetables. Make sure you choose a variety of different vegetables. You can even incorporate more vegetables by eating them as a snack with hummus or ranch dressing. Leafy greens like kale and spinach have an enormous amount of nutrients and health benefits. If you don’t like the taste, you can add about half a cup to your fruit smoothies.
Incorporate more whole grains
Whole grains contain many different nutrients, including protein, vitamin B, and antioxidants. They also keep you feeling full longer, so they are great for breakfast. Try starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit or nuts added.
Eating more plant-based foods does not have to be complicated. It also doesn’t require significant changes to feel better from eating a more plant-based diet. If you follow the steps listed above, you’ll be reaping the benefits of a more plant-forward diet in no time.
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