I don’t like to label myself as being on any certain “diet.” I prefer to eat intuitively. This means listening to what my body needs, balanced with knowing what is nutritious and best for my health and wellbeing.
This brings me to my next point, which may come as a surprise: This week, I am strictly Plant Based. I want to see what it feels like to make no exceptions to this diet and I also think this is the best way to get your body back on track.
I’ve decided to step up to the plate and make this 7-day plant based challenge as exciting as possible with a diverse hand crafted meal plan, which is the best way to start such an experiment.
When Sunday comes around you have your weekly meal plan mapped out and your grocery list ready to shop for all of your goodies to ensure you are ready for the races on Monday morning!
What does Plant Based Mean?
For those who are unfamiliar, those on a Plant-based diet get the majority of their calories from whole plant foods, which include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and minimally-processed oils.
Pros / Cons
Pros:
- May reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity
- May promote weight loss
- May increase quality of hair, skin, and nails
- More sustainable for the environment
Cons:
- Some individuals do better with more animal protein
- May be difficult for those who do not like vegetables
- Fruit impacts some peoples’ blood sugar, leading to spikes and crashes
Foods to include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Oils
Foods to avoid:
- Processed food
- Meats / excessive animal protein
- Sugar
How Did It Make Me Feel?
While it was only a 7-day trial, things I was able to notice were:
- Skin was happy, no new blemishes
- More clear headed with less brain fog
- More energized, less weighed down, & much less bloated than when I eat meat / processed foods
- Less appetite / no cravings
- I felt this great sense of confidence because I knew that each bite I took was fighting disease in my body and not feeding it. In other words, I was eating responsibly and treating my body like a temple instead of a trash can!
Will I continue?
My plan going forward is to be 80% plant based. I’m okay without the meat and processed foods, but I do enjoy having a bit more variety in my eating, especially when I’m dining out
In Conclusion
As a health coach, if I could recommend one diet to have as the foundation to your eating this would be it. I found myself having to double check what is actually in each item I was eating and found there are many hidden ingredients we put into our bodies each day. It feels great to know exactly what you are eating and to be eating foods that your body is able to identify with and properly digest.
For those looking for a cleanse and to see what it feels like to nourish your body with all raw whole food ingredients, I highly recommend trying a plant based diet. Instead of feeling deprived, look at it as a fun experiment to try. It is a great way to do a qualitative shift to healthy food.
Here is my sample 7-day meal plan:
Please let me know if any questions!
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