Switching to a more plant based diet can be one of the best things that you can do for yourself and for the environment. Here are some tips to do it!
Back when I was in college (and for several years after), I was a vegetarian. As I look back at my life, that was probably one of the times when I was at my healthiest (and thinnest). I don't remember exactly when I stopped being a vegetarian, but it was after I met Brad (who really doesn't eat many vegetables).
Twenty-five years later, staying healthy and fit isn't as easy as it used to be. After 3 children and just the natural consequences of aging, I have been trying to switch to a more plant based diet. Meat and dairy don't "agree with me" like they used to and it has become more "self defense" than anything else.
One problem that many people have when they phase meat (and/or dairy) out of their life is that they find themselves hungry because they aren't taking in as much protein as they used to get with meat. Protein is so important to give you the fuel that you need to power through your day and can be found in many plant-based foods.
Twenty-five years ago, eating any kind of fat was thought to be a one-way ticket to obesity. Everyone was eating fat-free dairy and things like avocados and nuts were certainly "off the menu". Thankfully, we have learned much more about the human body and how it processes fats and we now know that unsaturated fats like we find in almonds and olive oil are the "good fats" and can be included in our diet and can help to reduce our risk of heart disease.
Don't get me wrong - I still love my butter, but I am swapping it out for the olive oil more and more as I get older.
I always find it easier to eat a more plant based diet when the weather gets warmer, so if you have been trying to do it yourself, now is a great time to start making the switch! Lunch is a great meal to start with - try my spinach salad with orange balsamic vinaigrette. It's a simple salad with a delicious dressing that with some protein added in the form of some slivered almonds (actually, I tend to put slivered almonds on all of my salads - I buy these at Costco and throw them on everything!).
Commit to making your snacks almost entirely plant-based...but don't reach for the potato chips (which I guess are technically "plant based"), grab a healthy alternative like an ounce of almonds (which is about 23 - a decent size snack). With 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, just one ounce of almonds will give you the fuel to keep going (without the "crash" that you will get from a snack full of carbs).
Some other healthy plant-based snack ideas:
- Homemade granola (try my pumpkin granola or even this Power Protein granola)
- "Ants on a Log" - spread some nut butter on some celery sticks and top with raisins for a fun after-school snack for the kids (and mom)!
- Homemade Fruit Leather - you can control the sugar (I have almost completely phased out all of the sugar when I make my strawberry fruit leather)
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries - drizzled with olive oil to get them crunchy while they bake, these are delicious as a snack or side dish!
- Or even something as simple as some veggies and hummus or fruit!
Switching to a plant based diet is great for your health as well as better for the environment (source). It's something I have been gradually doing and something that I plan to do more and more in the future.
Now I just need some tips for dragging my husband and kids away from the hot dogs and steak! My husband is going to be a "tough sell".
You can learn more about the benefits of a plant based diet at Almonds.com and check out their Power of Plant Based Meals infographic. You can also follow California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest as well as the California Almonds blog for hundreds of ways to incorporate almonds more in to your diet.
I’ve partnered with California Almonds on this post, however as always, all opinions are my own.
Marie
These are great tips! It is important to pre-make your snacks no matter what your diet to try to help you reach for healthier choices anyway. Lucky for me, I love fruits and vegetables! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!
Walking on Sunshine Recipes
Thanks for joining our Delicious Dishes Recipe Party this week! Hope to see you again next Tuesday!
Crystal
I love almonds and making my own almond butter! And baked sweet potato fries are the best! Hope to see you again at #HomeMattersParty