Eating Strategies for Weight Loss & the Plant-Based Diet

When I was younger, you could not make me eat veggies for anything. Even for the first few years of my adult life, I lived on Top Ramen and toast. Turns out my beef wasn't with veggies, I just didn't know how to cook them. 

When it comes down to it, eating healthy and maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging, whether you know how to cook or not. There are so many different eating strategies to achieve weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, but one of the most effective is a whole foods, plant-based diet.

With a whole foods, plant-based diet, you eat mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. This type of diet is rich in nutrients, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Here are some benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet:

1. Helps with weight loss

People who follow a plant-based diet typically have lower body weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to those who eat a standard Western diet. This is because plant-based foods are generally lower in calories and fat, and are more filling due to their high fiber content.

2. Improves heart health

Plant-based diets have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The high fiber content also helps to improve gut health.

3. Reduces the risk of cancer

Consuming a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes has been associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer.

I am a BIG proponent of the whole foods, plant-based diet. I encourage my clients to eat as many whole foods as possible, whether their diets include meat and dairy, or not. 

While following a whole foods, plant-based diet is one effective strategy for weight loss and overall health, there are other strategies you can try as well. Here are some of them:

1. Intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting involves restricting your eating window to a certain period, usually between 6-8 hours, and fasting for the rest of the day. This can help reduce calorie intake and help with weight loss.

2. Low-carb diets

Low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, involve limiting carbohydrates and increasing fat and protein intake. This can help reduce hunger and improve weight loss.

3. Portion control

Eating smaller portions and being mindful of portion sizes can help reduce calorie intake and assist with weight loss.

4. Mindful eating

Mindful eating involves being present and aware while eating. This can help reduce overeating and improve overall health and wellbeing.

There are so many different eating strategies you can try to achieve weight loss and overall health. A whole foods, plant-based diet is one of the most effective, as it is rich in nutrients and fiber, and helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It's important to find the eating strategy that works best for you and your lifestyle, though.

If you're interested in how to implement healthier eating habits, don't go it alone! Reach out for a FREE consultation to get some ideas on some simple changes you can make today.