Thinking about what we put into our bodies each day is something that is worth thinking about. Studies show that those who consume a mostly Whole Food, Plant-Based diet tend to have a lower risk and prevalence of many common chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.
Not vegan
The term Whole Food, Plant-Based originates from Dr. Campbell, who made sure to not call it a vegan diet. Both a vegan and Whole Food, a Plant-Based diet consist of eliminating meat, fish, and all other animal-based foods such as cheese, milk, and butter. However, when it comes to the specifics of what to eat, these diets have some big differences.
On a vegan diet, the only aim is to not eat anything that finds its source in or through animals. Anything that either is an animal or that is produced by or through an animal is considered not done on a vegan diet. No further distinction is made when consuming other things such as processed foods, sugar, and salt.
Whole Food, Plant-Based
On a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, the main aim is to optimize health by eliminating as many harmful food products as possible and maximizing the intake of what is considered healthy. All products consumed are plant-based and not animal-based, just like a vegan, and in addition to that, the aim is to eat as many wholesome foods as possible. The Whole Food, Plant-Based diet gives preference to whole grains over processed grains, for example.
The idea is to try to minimize the intake of salt, sugar, processed grains, oils, etc. These are all highly processed and contain very little nutritional value. By avoiding these products, the experts say, you are doing your body a big favor.
Sources to get started
The internet is filled with sources that can inform you more about the Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet. Think of GingerKale, Forks Over Knives, Nutrition Studies, and NutritionFacts. These all offer great content to help get you started on the WFPB diet and to give you the tools to thrive. Are you ready to make the dietary transition?
