Plant-Based Diet for Beginners: The Health Benefits & More

You may have heard the term plant-based, but are you confused about what it really means? Is it the same thing as being a vegan or a vegetarian? (The short answer: No!) How do you get enough protein?

First, what even is a plant-based diet? Is it just a trendy new term for “vegan” or is it a whole different thing?

While there is no set definition, a plant-based way of eating focuses on consuming plant-derived whole foods that are unrefined and minimally processed. This means pure, unadulterated ingredients that are in their original form.

In terms of what you eat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, tubers, and legumes are the dietary staples. These foods are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals and provide an abundance of nutrients for your body.

A huge concern for many when contemplating a plant-based lifestyle is whether eating in this manner is balanced and nutritionally sound. The resounding answer is yes! As long as you're consuming a healthy balance of protein, vegetables, fruits, and other fiber-rich, whole-food carbs, there's no reason why you shouldn't get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

To get technical, a vegan doesn't consume any animal products including meat, eggs, milk, dairy, and honey. For some vegans, the primary reason for leading a vegan lifestyle is related to ethics and animal welfare. Yet, a vegan diet is not always as nutritionally virtuous and as clean as a plant-based lifestyle—hello, faux meat and french fries.

The vegan focus is usually set on avoiding animal products, but the priority is not placed on unprocessed plant-based whole foods.

On the other hand, following a plant-based lifestyle doesn't necessarily mean fully avoiding animal products like a vegan or vegetarian. For plant-based eaters, animal proteins can happily fit into the lifestyle, yet they typically serve as more of a supporting role to your veggies and whole grains.

Where to get your protein is often the major concern for individuals considering a plant-based way of life. Beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are all plant-based sources of protein that are also filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. (Be sure to check out our full list of the best plant-based protein sources!)

Another major reason to jump on the plant-based eating train is for the external benefits. Plant-based foods are loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which can improve skin clarity and help you get that glow.

Feeling more energized and alert is another benefit of following a plant-based diet. The standard American diet is filled with processed foods, sugar, and white flour, which de-energize your system and make you fatigued. These foods cause spikes and rapid declines in blood sugar levels, which can result in spurts of energy followed by extreme tiredness.

Transitioning away from processed foods to a more plant-based way of life can help your body function optimally. Your digestion will likely improve, your skin can start glowing, and your total energy might increase due to the nutrient-dense attributes and high quality of the foods being consumed.