Here are some useful ‘ways of thinking’ that will help you get the most out of eating only plants!
Health first
When you prioritise your health and begin to understand the role food plays in your health, you will find it easier to make the transition to a plant-based diet. Make getting and preparing healthy food a priority – like your life depends on it!
Cook your own
The most successful way to eat a healthy plant-based diet is to prepare your own food and learn to enjoy cooking. It is next to impossible to stay healthy if you live off plant-based processed food. Pre-prepared meals may be better but are costly and can be loaded with extra fats, sugar or salt. On eatingonlyplants.com you’ll find a range of basic cooking techniques to get you started.
Avoid or minimise processed foods
Plant-based does not automatically mean healthy, especially when it comes to processed and ultra-processed food, which can be every bit as unhealthy as ones that contain meat and dairy. Many plant-based meat substitutes are expensive and fail to hit the mark when it comes to taste or texture. If you do consume processed plant-based products, do so in moderation and look for the healthiest option.
Variety
Eat a wide variety of foods to maximise your chances of hitting your nutrient requirements. Given you are restricting yourself to plant-based foods, it is essential to eat a wide variety of foods to maintain health and build novelty into your diet. Try new things – the process of moving to a plant-only diet is a learning experience so enjoy it.
Frugality
Frugality doesn’t mean going without. It is about spending your money wisely and avoiding waste, which is especially important in a high-cost-of-living environment. Examples include buying seasonal produce/basic ingredients rather than spending top dollar on hard-to-get ingredients, or learning to use whatever ingredients you have on hand to make a meal.
Perspective
If you are coming to a plant-based diet after eating meat and dairy, you may have concerns about how much you are paying for plant-based food. Some of this is because there is a tendency to regard animal-based products as somehow more valuable than plant-based foods. Some plant-based foods are indeed overpriced, but these are often the ultra-processed meat and dairy alternatives or way out of season produce. When you buy in-season, whole-food plant-based produce, it will almost always represent better value and a healthier option than the equivalent spend on meat and dairy. Look at it as being an investment in your health – health food if you like.
Simplicity
As someone new to plant-based eating, the barriers can seem overwhelming. Eating this way can be as complicated as you want or as simple as you like. Everyone is busy, and not everyone wants to spend time in the kitchen. Not all meals need to be elaborate or complex. Sometimes it is fun to create something new and special, but for day-to-day living, simple meals make life easier. Simple ingredients and simple techniques save you time and effort.
