Whole Plant Based Food: What is it?

Whole plant based food is a diet that focuses on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, grains, and herbs. It excludes meat, dairy products, eggs, refined sugar, and processed oils.

Are you looking for a healthy alternative to meat? Do you want to save animals from slaughter? Or do you just want to live longer?

There are many reasons why you should switch to whole plant-based food.

In this article, we will explain what whole plant-based food is, and why it’s the healthiest choice you can make.

What Is Whole Plant Based Food?

Whole plant-based foods are foods that contain no animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, fish, or other animal-derived ingredients. These foods are typically vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian. Whole plant-based foods include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and teas.

While many people consider these foods healthier than traditional meats and cheeses, there are still plenty of benefits to eating them. For example, whole plant-based foods tend to be less expensive and easier to prepare than meat alternatives. They’re also packed with nutrients and fiber, making them ideal for weight loss and overall health.

In addition to being healthy, whole plant-based diets can also save the environment. According to the United Nations, livestock production accounts for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That means if everyone switched to a whole plant-based diet, we could cut our carbon footprint by nearly half!

There are many different types of whole plant-based foods, each with its own unique nutritional profile. Some examples include beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, and almond milk. The best part is that you can easily incorporate these foods into your everyday meals. Try experimenting with new recipes and dishes to discover more ways to enjoy whole plant-based foods.

A whole plant-based diet consists of foods that come from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, beans, legumes, herbs, spices, and oils.

There are two main types of whole plant based diets:

Vegan Diet – No animal products allowed.

Vegetarian Diet – Animal products allowed.

When we eat whole plant foods, our bodies absorb all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, enzymes, amino acids, fatty acids, and other beneficial compounds that are found naturally in those foods.

• Whole plant food is a natural source of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Whole plant-based foods provide us with essential nutrients needed for optimal health.
• Whole plant foods are low in saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.
• Whole plant foods are rich sources of fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

Whole Plant Foods – 8 Benefits

When you think about what goes into processed food, you probably don’t think about the benefits of eating whole plant foods. But there are actually several health benefits to eating whole plant foods over processed ones. Here are five of them.

1. Whole Plant Based Foods Help Prevent Disease

Processed foods contain ingredients that aren’t necessarily bad for you. They may even taste delicious. However, these foods often contain unhealthy additives and preservatives that can cause inflammation in our bodies. This inflammation can lead to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Eating whole plant foods helps prevent these diseases because they contain nutrients that promote overall wellness. These nutrients include fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

2. Whole Plant Foods Make You Feel Full Longer

Many processed foods are made up of refined grains and sugars. These foods give us an immediate burst of energy followed by a quick crash. Eating whole plant foods instead gives us sustained energy without any crashes.

This means that we’re less likely to overeat and eat too much junk food. We also feel fuller longer after eating whole plant foods than processed foods.

3. Whole Plant Foods Can Improve Moods

We’ve all heard of the term “comfort food.” It’s usually something that tastes good and makes us feel better. Many people turn to comfort foods when they’re feeling down.

However, comfort foods aren’t always the best choice. In fact, many processed foods are loaded with sugar and chemicals that can leave us feeling worse rather than better.

Eating whole plant foods instead provides us with natural mood enhancers that can improve our moods. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can help fight off free radicals in our bodies.

These free radicals can damage cells and DNA, leading to chronic illnesses such as cancer. Fruits and veggies also provide us with B-vitamins, which boost serotonin levels in our brains. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates moods.

4. Whole Plant Foods May Be Good For Your Gut Health

The human gut contains trillions of bacteria called microorganisms. Some of these microorganisms are beneficial to our health, while others are harmful.

Some studies suggest that certain types of bacteria in our guts play a role in obesity. Specifically, it appears that some obese individuals have fewer beneficial bacteria in their guts compared to nonobese individuals.

Eating whole foods instead of processed foods helps keep these healthy bacteria in our guts. This means that we’re less prone to getting sick and developing digestive issues.

5. Whole Plant Foods Provide Us With Essential Nutrients

Most processed foods lack essential nutrients. These nutrients include iron, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Eating whole food instead ensures that we get all of these nutrients. Fiber found in whole plant foods helps us absorb these nutrients better.

In addition, whole foods contain more protein than processed foods do. Protein is important for building muscle mass and keeping our bones strong.

6. Whole Plant Foods Are Easier To Digest

Processed foods can be difficult to digest. The high amounts of sugar and artificial sweeteners in processed foods make them harder to break down.

This causes bloating, gas, and other digestive problems. On the other hand, whole plant foods are easier to digest because they contain no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

7. Whole Plant Foods Have More Flavor

Processed foods tend to lack flavor. This is why most people prefer to eat packaged snacks instead of fresh fruit and vegetables.

8. Whole Foods Provide a Wide Array of Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect cells against damage caused by oxidation. Oxidation occurs naturally over time. But it’s accelerated during times of stress such as exercise, smoking, sun exposure, pollution, and poor diet.

Antioxidants neutralize harmful substances before they cause cellular damage. This prevents cell damage and promotes good health.

Disadvantages of Eating Whole Plant Foods

Whole plant foods are better than processed foods for our health. They contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes. However, there are disadvantages to eating whole plant foods.

1. Whole Plant Foods Are Harder To Digest

When we eat whole plant foods, our bodies have to break down the fibers, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller pieces. This takes longer than digesting processed foods.

This means that it takes longer to feel full after eating whole plant foods. If you eat too much food, you may still be hungry an hour later.

2. Whole Plant Foods Can Be High In Fats And Sugars

Some whole plant foods are higher in fats and sugars than processed foods. For example, fruits and vegetables are high in natural sugars and fats. These nutrients are needed for growth and development, but they can cause problems if eaten in excess.

Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, which slows digestion. Fiber helps us absorb nutrients and prevents constipation. Too much fiber can cause bloating and gas.

3. Whole Plant Foods May Cause An Increase In Blood Pressure

Eating whole plant foods can cause an increase in blood pressure. The reason is that these foods are rich in potassium and magnesium. Potassium and magnesium are electrolytes that regulate fluid levels in our bodies.

These electrolytes are important for maintaining normal blood pressure. Eating too many whole plant foods can cause our bodies to hold onto water and sodium, causing our blood pressure to rise.

4. Whole Plant Foods Aren’t As Nutritious As Processed Foods

Processed foods are made up of refined grains, refined sugars, preservatives, additives, and artificial ingredients. They lack the nutritional value of whole plant foods.

For example, whole wheat bread has more protein, iron, and B-vitamins than white bread. It also contains fiber, folic acid, and vitamin E. On the other hand, white bread has fewer calories and no fiber.

5. Whole Plant Foods Require More Preparation

It’s easier to prepare whole plant foods than it is to prepare processed foods. We need to wash fruit and vegetables before eating them. We also need to peel potatoes, chop onions, and cut carrots.

We don’t need to do this with processed foods.

6. Whole Plant Based Foods Have A Lower Glycemic Index (GI)

The glycemic index measures how quickly your body digests different types of carbohydrates. Low GI carbs include whole grain pasta, brown rice, beans, and oats. High GI carbs include white bread, sugary cereals, and potato chips.

The lower the GI, the slower your body breaks down the carbohydrate. This makes you feel fuller faster.

In conclusion, whole plant based foods is becoming increasingly popular among consumers who want to live healthier lives. However, it’s important to note that there are some drawbacks to going vegan. For example, it can be difficult to find quality foods that meet your nutritional requirements, and it can be expensive to buy organic produce.

But if you’re committed to living a healthier lifestyle, then there are plenty of benefits to switching over to a whole plant-based diet. In fact, studies show that vegans tend to live longer than meat eaters, and they often have lower rates of heart disease and cancer. So whether you decide to become a vegetarian or a vegan, you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.