Want to add more veggies to your diet but don't know where to start? Here are my top 3 tips to eating more plants. They're easy to remember and really easy to do. I hope they inspire you.
1. Let flavour be your guide
Over the years I have been surprised by two things. The first is when people turn their noses up to a tasty veggie dish simply because it’s labelled ‘vegan’. I’ve watched teenager’s hungry eyes light up, ready to grab huge helpings of a delicious plant-based meal, only to be told “you won’t like it, it’s got no meat.” It stopped them dead in their tracks. Such a pity. I’m pretty sure they would have loved it, given the chance.
The opposite is true for the second. Whether it’s a party platter, a restaurant meal or dinner with friends - watching people love what they’re eating for its deliciousness really makes me happy. I’ve watched a platter of my walnut ‘not-sausage’ rolls get gobbled up at a birthday party buffet. They looked like traditional sausage rolls and tasted so good everyone had seconds (and thirds). In no time there were none left!
And that’s my absolute top tip: let flavour be your guide. Eat it because it’s delicious.
2. Do as little or as much as you like
Choosing to eat a plant-based diet isn’t the same as your regular weight-loss diet plan. You don’t have to start on Monday. And it’s not an all-or-nothing approach from day one.
Here’re some ideas to get you started:
Start with a weekly meat-free day
Add plant milks to your cereal and tea
Try veggie swaps of your family favourites
Choose the veggie option on the restaurant menu
Have more fresh fruit and veg in your trolley than ready meals
Choose plant-based cooking inspiration on your socials
Eating plant-based is a way of life, not a diet to stop when you’ve reached your goal weight. So rather take it step by step and do as little or as much as you like. That way you’ll be inspired stick to it.
3. Be proud of the difference you make
Let’s start with what the research shows:
The more plant-rich your diet the healthier you will be. You’ll have more energy, be in a better mood, sleep better and your skin will have a healthy glow. In fact, a whole food plant-based diet can help with weight loss and has been linked to reduced risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Switching to a plant-based diet can help the health of our planet too. Researchers found that the environmental footprint of a vegan was around one-third lower than that of a meat-eater. Given that animal agriculture is a leading driver of deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and water use, and is linked to significant emission output, eating less meat is always a good thing.
So even if you made just one change, like no longer eating processed meats for example, you would be doing good to your body, the animals and the planet too.
Now that’s something to be really proud of!
Makes me think of one of my favourite quotes…
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what difference you want to make.”
- Jane Goodall –
I hope these tips inspire you to start eating more plants. Remember to let flavour guide you, do as little or as much as you like, and be really proud of the difference you are making.
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