How to Transition to a Plant-Based Diet
By Genevieve Cunningham
Plant based diets are really hot right now. More and more people are stepping away from meat and eating as many plants as possible. They're doing it for a number of reasons -- better health and animal rights among the most common. But whatever the reason, transitioning from your current diet to a plant-based diet can be challenging. Where do we begin? What are we supposed to eat? If you're trying to switch to more plants and less meat, take a look at these tips to help you seamlessly transition.
Get Informed
The more you know, the easier the transition is going to be. Do some research. Read. Investigate. Find out why plant based is healthy. Read about which plants offer the most nutritionally dense experience. Read about other people's journey into a plant-based life. Knowledge can make you feel more powerful and more capable. Gain all the knowledge you can, and then use it to make the process easier.
Practice and Patience
Don't think that you're going to go from a meat-based diet to a plant-based diet in one day. You're not. There's a learning curve. Get ready to practice your culinary skills -- and also a lot of patience. You're going to have to try new recipes, experiment with entirely new foods, and revamp your diet completely. Some dishes will be delicious and instant hits and others will be dishes that you never want to see or smell again. Put in the time, and your menu will evolve over time.
Start Small
It's OK if you can't eliminate meat on the first day. Instead of making that the goal, start small. Try to eliminate meat from breakfast. Go all plant-based -- but in breakfast meals only. Once you master this meal, you can move to another. Keep in mind that this is going to be a process, a transition, a long-term plan. Small changes will turn into big changes, and you'll be completely plant-based before you know it.
If you want to go plant-based, awesome. There are some well known benefits to cutting meat from your diet. But don't rush the process. Use these tips to slowly transition from your current diet to the one you desire, and you'll be more likely to find success long-term.
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