Lots of people have recently made the switch from an animal-based to a plant-based diet. Among plant-based diets, there are several variations, such as veganism. Today we will discuss the Whole Food Plant-Based diet, also known as the WFPB diet.
What is a WFPB diet?
The Whole Food Plant-Based diet consists of plant-based foods in their purest eatable form. The emphasis is on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. It excludes animal products such as meat, fish, cheese, milk and butter, and it excludes as much as possible processed foods.
Olive oil is an example of a processed food. Its original form (olives) is adjusted, in the process it loses lots of essential nutrients such as fibers, minerals and vitamins. The same goes for other commonly processed foods such as bread (whole versus white).
Documentaries such as Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers go more into detail as to why a Whole Food Plant-Based diet is so beneficial in terms of health.
Challenges on a WFPB diet
It is not easy to suddenly switch from a standard American (or Western) diet to a largely plant-based diet. As such, it is important to understand some of the potential challenges that await you. The main challenge that is reported by people who make the transition, is how to eat out on a Whole Food Plant-Based diet.
By preparing yourself, you can prevent a lot of frustration. One thing you can do is call ahead and see if a restaurant is willing to cater an oil-free, plant-based meal. You will be surprised at how some of these places respond. Chefs actually enjoy a bit of a challenge, as they are required to be creative. Your request may well be received positively.
Places that are often more open to catering to you include Mexican and Chinese restaurants, vegan hotspots and Poke bars.
In some cases it can be challenging to find the right place. Some people prefer to eat a little before they go out, and then they have a plain salad or baked vegetables in the restaurant.
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