When I became a lacto-ovo vegetarian nearly 28 years ago, I didn't know that a vegetarian diet has a positive benefit on the environment or my health. I was only 10 years old. I simply stopped eating meat for animal reasons. Today, I continue to enjoy my vegetarian diet knowing that I am protecting animal rights, the environment and my health.
Although a vegetarian diet helps create a better world, there are many different definitions of a plant-based style of eating. On World Vegetarian Day, I'd like to offer a different perspective on plant-based eating.
If you are looking to adopt a more plant-based style of eating, I encourage you to pursue your own definition of what plant-based means to you and how it can be good for the environment, good for animals and good for your health.
Starting a new style of eating (especially for health reasons) and restricting food groups or demonizing certain foods can lead to feelings of deprivation, guilt and shame - not to mention a risk for nutrient deficiencies or heightened cravings.
To incorporate more plant-based nutrition habits into your diet, choose small changes that allow for a health-promoting and sustainable approach.
Diet rules, lists and labels are used to control your eating. They tell you exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat in order to lose weight, improve health or change body composition. I realize that a vegetarian diet has an off-limit food list. But don't be misled that avoiding animal protein will provide you with improved health or changes in your body composition. Eating a plant-based/vegetarian/vegan diet shouldn't be viewed as a diet plan. It should hold a deeper meaning as to why you avoid certain foods.
Extremes and absolutes are never healthy. Strict and restrictive eating can run and ruin your life, health and emotional well-being. Often times, it can create disordered eating patterns. If you struggle with body image and are seeking a vegetarian/vegan diet in an effort to gain control over your eating or to change body composition, I encourage you to reach out to a sport dietitian with experience in plant-based eating and disordered eating.
If you don’t diet, you can never cheat, break, mess up, feel guilty, fall off the wagon or have a bad day of eating. A vegetarian diet is a lifestyle, not a fad diet. And it's ok to try something and overtime, realize that it's not the right fit for you. With every new style of eating, there is a period of adaption and learning. A vegetarian diet is not about what you can't eat but what you can and should eat....a diet rich in plant-based, wholesome foods.
Your eating choices belong to you. If you choose to reduce, minimize or avoid certain foods for ethical, medical, religious, health or personal reasons, your diet should remain simple, flexible, varied and nourishing. Your personalized style of eating is constantly evolving. Keep it practical, enjoyable and sustainable. It’s not a fad, it doesn’t require meticulous calculations, there are no strict rules, and it should never cause guilt, stress or worry.
If you are seeking a dietary change in order to improve your mental and physical well-being, the outcome should serve you well in all areas of your life.
Happy World Vegetarian Day.
If you are looking to adopt a more plant-based style of eating, I encourage you to pursue your own definition of what plant-based means to you and how it can be good for the environment, good for animals and good for your health.
If you are considering transitioning to a more plant-based diet, there's no need to immediately title your diet as vegan or vegetarian to take advantage of the many health, ethical and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. When adopting a different style of eating, start with the mindset “less is best.” Make small changes by learning about nutritious plant-based substitutions for every animal food reduction. A slow gradual process is less extreme, it’s easier on your body and intuitively, it’s more gentle for your mind.
Starting a new style of eating (especially for health reasons) and restricting food groups or demonizing certain foods can lead to feelings of deprivation, guilt and shame - not to mention a risk for nutrient deficiencies or heightened cravings.
To incorporate more plant-based nutrition habits into your diet, choose small changes that allow for a health-promoting and sustainable approach.
Diet rules, lists and labels are used to control your eating. They tell you exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat in order to lose weight, improve health or change body composition. I realize that a vegetarian diet has an off-limit food list. But don't be misled that avoiding animal protein will provide you with improved health or changes in your body composition. Eating a plant-based/vegetarian/vegan diet shouldn't be viewed as a diet plan. It should hold a deeper meaning as to why you avoid certain foods.
Extremes and absolutes are never healthy. Strict and restrictive eating can run and ruin your life, health and emotional well-being. Often times, it can create disordered eating patterns. If you struggle with body image and are seeking a vegetarian/vegan diet in an effort to gain control over your eating or to change body composition, I encourage you to reach out to a sport dietitian with experience in plant-based eating and disordered eating.
If you don’t diet, you can never cheat, break, mess up, feel guilty, fall off the wagon or have a bad day of eating. A vegetarian diet is a lifestyle, not a fad diet. And it's ok to try something and overtime, realize that it's not the right fit for you. With every new style of eating, there is a period of adaption and learning. A vegetarian diet is not about what you can't eat but what you can and should eat....a diet rich in plant-based, wholesome foods.
Your eating choices belong to you. If you choose to reduce, minimize or avoid certain foods for ethical, medical, religious, health or personal reasons, your diet should remain simple, flexible, varied and nourishing. Your personalized style of eating is constantly evolving. Keep it practical, enjoyable and sustainable. It’s not a fad, it doesn’t require meticulous calculations, there are no strict rules, and it should never cause guilt, stress or worry.
If you are seeking a dietary change in order to improve your mental and physical well-being, the outcome should serve you well in all areas of your life.
Happy World Vegetarian Day.
