An Introduction to a Whole-Foods, Plant-Based Diet Ask yourself:
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to improve your overall health?
Would you like to decrease your reliance on medication?
Do you want to stop, slow, or reverse the progression of heart disease without costly treatments or surgery?
Would you make dietary changes that could change your life?
If you found yourself answering “Yes!” to any of these questions, than a Whole Foods, Plant-Based lifestyle may be for you. This Website is designed to help you navigate the Whole Foods, Plant Based diet by providing you with helpful tools to incorporate health promoting foods into your diet and by giving you the education and knowledge on why it is important to change your lifestyle.
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WHAT IS A WHOLE-FOODS, PLANT-BASED DIET?
Research has supported the positive impact a plant based diet can have on the reversal of heart disease in some individuals as well as the reversal of diabetes. The diet focuses on eating plant-based foods such as whole grains, legumes (beans, peas), fruits, vegetables, and limited amounts of nuts/seeds. Fat intake for each meal is generally restricted to no more than 10 -15% of total calories. The only vitamin supplement encouraged is a daily vitamin B12 capsule. Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria and our current diets are too clean to produce vitamin B12 sufficiently, therefore a supplement is required. To ensure you receive adequate amounts of Omage-3 fatty acids in your diet, a tablespoon, or two, of ground flax seed a day can be added to oatmeal, or sprinkled over jelly on toast. To obtain the best outcomes, meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products and all oils, including olive and canola oil are replaced with plant based food sources. Any changes you make in your diet towards whole plant foods typically results in weight loss and improved health, however, the larger the change the better health outcomes one can experience. If you are a diabetic be sure to consult with your physician prior to starting a whole foods plant-based diet, in some cases, symptoms of diabetes can drastically improve which may result in a decreased need for insulin medication, other cases may not be as drastic, as individual results will vary but improvements should be expected to those adhering to the diet.
GET MORE INFORMATION Transitions can be difficult for even the most dedicated individuals. The elimination of animal based foods and oils can positively impact your health allowing you to feel the benefits of a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet. To help provide an understanding of how to eliminate animal foods and why we should eliminate animal foods from our diet, visit our education section or click on the links below.
Calorie Density
Understand calorie density to not only help trim your waistline, but to help you fill up on foods that will keep you fuller for longer.
Carcinogens
Learn how the chemicals in grilled and cooked meats can increase the risk of individuals developing cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Understand the risks of cardiovascular disease and how a whole-foods, plant-based diet can reverse these risks.
Diabetes
Learn how a change in diet can help reduce diabetes symptoms resulting in decreased need for insulin medications.
Food Labels
Learn how to read and understand food labels to know what to look for and what to avoid and find the healthiest, foods available.
Gut Bacteria
Learn how the digestion of animal products can link gut bacteria to the progression of cardiovascular disease.
