EMBARKING ON A WHOLE FOOD, PLANT-BASED DIET

HOW DO I START A WFPB DIET?

A WFPB diet is a diet where food is derived wholly from plants with minimal processing

If you have been a heavy meat eater and have been regularly taking food and drinks out of packets (ie processed)… the transition to a whole food plant based diet can seem like a daunting (or near impossible) task. 

Yes a complete revamp of diet is a challenging summit to conquer, but the rewards come on fast and furious. You will feel start to feel more energetic, sleep better, lose weight and more. The results are even more noticeable if you have health related issues. You will not be alone embarking on this journey, as a plant based diet is the fastest growing dietary trend in the world. You will be part of a community of millions, whom you can count on to reach out to and help you along the way. There are countless books, websites, YouTube channels, social media portals and new friends that can inspire and motivate. Keep an open mind and ask questions when doubts or confusion arises, we are here to help.

Remember, the aim of a WFPB diet is a lifetime dietary modification to keep you in the pink of health. We do not advocate yo-yo dieting, extreme calorie restriction or fad diets that may reduce important nutrients. 

If you have an illness or health challenge, you can consult your healthcare professional and inform him of your new diet. As disease like hypertension and diabetes improve, medication may need to be adjusted or even better .. stopped. Do not stop medication on your own. Your doctor may also do some blood tests before and after a few months on a WFPB diet to document improvements. You can also regularly measure your weight, blood pressure, resting pulse and sleep quality as you embark on this exciting journey

There are 2 ways:

  • Set a date and do an immediate change to WFPB diet. Prepare yourself psychologically and have access to plentiful and a variety of plant foods so you will not be discouraged or end up eating limited types of food and get bored. 

  • Do a gradual change (maybe eliminating a particular food type every fortnight) in the below order:

  • All red and processed meats

  • All other processed foods

  • Chicken 

  • Eggs

  • Fish and Seafood

  • Dairy and dairy products

It’s really up to you which method you choose. 

Some pointers for success:

  • Read up and continue seeking knowledge each day. Knowledge empowers you and helps keep you going

  • Ask questions (even if silly) and feel free to question the answers. Talk out and discuss. 

  • Have a support group (it really helps on down days) like friends, family, partner or even new found helpers like CRF

  • Try not to aim for cheat days, it’s like stopping smoking, one should not look forward to weekly smoking sessions.

  • Be gentle and kind with yourself, you are helping animals avoid suffering, helping planet earth and optimising your health. Even reducing your meat intake deserves a pat on the back. There is no such thing as failure unless you give up

  • Make food delicious .. tantalise your tastebuds with the thousands of varieties of plants available. 

  • Be adventurous and try new plant foods (eg new types of fruits, vegetables, beans and grains)

  • Learn to cook and enjoy it. It is hard to eat out healthy daily as commercial food is often highly processed, has hidden oils, salt and sugar or overcooked.