5 Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
Some years ago, a friend of mine brought her very recent spouse to my home for the weekend. It was known that he was a pescatarian and did not eat meat. My menu for the entire weekend otherwise included meats to grill, so I had to intentionally prepare for his way of eating. Needless to say, I was ever so slightly testy—who doesn’t eat meat? I certainly didn’t understand it! However, I was incredibly curious about his eating habits that entire weekend because it had to be the reason he appeared so much younger than he actually was. He was about ten years older than me, and my skin did NOT look like his! It was clear, supple, smooth, and youthful looking. He also wasn’t fighting with any fat around his middle! I did nothing with that intrigue other than yearn for the willpower to eat in that manner. It’s been over a decade now, and I have found that willpower. With the exception of seafood, I maintain a plant-based diet.
There are many reasons why someone would want to switch to a plant-based diet. They could be trying to lose weight, which has been a struggle for ages with a normal diet. They might be suffering from some health issue that could be mitigated with a clean diet. Or they may just want to look and feel better. It was all of the above for me, and then some. Whatever the case may be, the plant-based diet has many benefits that can be accrued if you adopt it successfully. It may take a few months before you really get used to it and prepare the staples in your kitchen while eliminating those that don’t adhere to the lifestyle. Making the switch from an omnivorous diet to an herbivorous one is a challenge, but it can be done. Now let’s look at 5 reasons why most people will benefit from a plant-based diet.
1. More energy and vitality
Before you even see the results, you will feel it. Within the first week of being on a plant-based diet, your body will start flushing out the toxins from your body. Many people report getting a flu or not feeling well during the first week or 10 days. The reason for this is your body is cleaning house and resetting your system. It’s a detox process that will initially make you feel worse off, but after a while, you'll recover and feel much better than ever before. Just remember that things take a dip first before they rise to whole new levels. Stay on course, and don't throw in the towel just because you don't feel good in the first few days. You will find that you are more energetic and less tired once you’re on a plant-based diet. Personally, I did not experience any negative effects and instead immediately noticed that I had more energy, felt overall stronger and simply moved better without joint aches.
2. Better sleep
Many of the vegetables that you consume will be rich in magnesium, which is considered to be nature's tranquilizer. Since your body is getting nutritious food that is easily digestible, your body doesnít have to work so hard to process the foods you eat. You wll be well-rested, and you'll get better sleep at night. You may find that you need even less sleep, but still feel more refreshed. This is one of the major benefits of a plant-based diet, and it must be felt to be believed. I’m finding that I’m beating the alarm clock and waking up an hour to a half hour earlier! Yet, in all honesty, I haven’t gotten out of that bed earlier yet! I lie there and try to force myself back to sleep, even though I feel totally refreshed, as if my body had gotten all the rest it needed. So, my next challenge is to encourage that time into the productivity of my day by getting my butt up!
3. Optimal body functioning
On a plant-based diet, you’ll be getting all the micronutrients that your body craves. The vitamin A in carrots will improve your eyesight. The vitamin C will prevent colds. All the other antioxidants will help your body get rid of free radicals.
4. Reduces risks of many diseases
A plant-based diet will reduce and eliminate inflammation in your body. Inflammation sets the stage for many diseases, ranging from diabetes to heart disease, and even raises your risk of getting cancer. Vegetables, grains, and fruit are very healthy, and even more so if they're organic. Meat has toxins and saturated fat that clog up your arteries. Just avoiding meat will reduce your risk of getting many diseases.
5. Easier weight management
Of course, one of the best benefits of the lot is that you will lose your excess fat much more easily with a plant-based diet. People who have struggled to lose weight with other diets often find that their fat starts dropping once they switch to this diet. I initially lost roughly 8 pounds, and it appears that most of it was in my middle area, hips, and thighs—those areas that I’ve struggled with in the past. It's also easier to keep the weight off because if you stick to this way of eating, it's very difficult to gain weight. Of course, avoid processed foods, sugar, and hydrogenated oils. Being on a plant-based diet gets more effective when it's as natural as possible. Yet, it’s a journey, so you may use more of the processed plant-based foods in the beginning for convenience and variety.
These 5 benefits alone should tell you just how rewarding a plant-based diet is. It can seem intimidating to make the switch all at once, which is why I’m resting here for now and keeping fish in my diet. The best way to go about it is to gradually make changes. Maybe make one meal in a day a plant-based one and slowly move on to two meals and on and on, till all your meals are plant-based. Once you start feeling and looking better, you'll appreciate just how fantastic the diet is, and one day you can eliminate the concept of dieting from your mind and just know that this is your way of eating for life—and that perhaps you have added some healthier years to it!