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The Power of a Plant Based Diet

Plant based diets are often mistakenly considered lesser than other diets. People are often under the misconception that you cannot maintain a balanced nutrition without including meat and dairy in your diet. This is a myth. Most medical professionals and experts agree that with proper guidance and a balanced approach to eating plant based foods, removing animal products from your diet has many health benefits.

Common Questions about Changing to a Plant Based Diet

Many people that currently eat meat and dairy and are considering a change to a vegan diet have questions about how to make the right lifestyle changes. It is important to ask questions and consult credible, trustworthy experts on how to make this kind of a dramatic shift in day to day habits. Always keep in mind there is no wrong question in the vegan world. As a matter of fact, navigating the food world as a vegan requires open communication, honesty and knowledge about ingredients, food quality and more.

What is a Healthy Plant Based Diet?

People choose to follow a plant based diet for many reasons. According to the Harvard University Health Services, “There are many types of vegetarian diets, and many reasons people choose them. These include health considerations, concern for the environment, animal welfare, economic, ethical considerations, world hunger issues and religious beliefs. http://huhs.harvard.edu/Resources/HealthInformationByTopic/Nutrition/Vegetarian/VeganNutrition.aspx Plant based diets can serve many purposes. Regardless of your motivation, you may find there are many benefits you did not expect.

Will it Be Difficult to Stick to a Plant Based Diet?

It may be difficult to stick to your new plant based diet, especially if you have been eating meat and dairy. You may need to explore meat and dairy alternatives. There are many options to choose from and some are better than others. Tofu and tempeh are not the only meat alternatives. Soy milk can also be replaced with almond milk, coconut milk or rice milk. The more you explore and try new things the easier it will be to make a permanent lifestyle change and make your health your number one priority.

What Credible Resources are Available for People to Learn about Switching to a Plant Based Diet?

To learn more about a plant based diet there are a variety of websites you can trust. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine website, www.pcrm.org, has an excellent Vegetarian Starter Kit that answers questions related to veganism and vegetarianism. The Vegan Society, formed in 1944, also provides an authoritative nutrition manual called Plant Based Nutrition and Health . The best, most reliable online resources will provide sources for all health and nutrition information.