If you’ve decided to become vegan for your health, then it’s important to take a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) approach.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VEGAN APPROACH AND A WFPB APPROACH?
A vegan diet is defined by what we leave off of our plates, and leading a vegan lifestyle means living in a way that causes the least amount of harm to others. That means we can eat as many processed, high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods as we wish, just as long as they don’t contain any animal products. But while vegan junk food is often convenient, delicious, and a great alternative to eating animal-based foods, particularly with consideration to animals and our planet, it isn’t the key to optimum health.
“Junk food” is a comprehensive term that encompasses anything that adds calories, fat and/or sugar to our diet with few nutrients to back it up
If your health is important to you, then what you put IN to your diet should be just as important as what you leave OUT. For example, switching out dairy ice cream for non-dairy ice cream is a great idea, but switching it out for homemade frozen banana soft-serve (i.e. something that contains real fruit and no added sugar or artificial ingredients) is an even better one.
Now don’t get us wrong! We love French fries, vegan donuts, and faux-meat burgers too, but these types of foods–just like any other fatty, sugary, or processed foods–are best eaten in moderation. And if you’re someone who wishes to manage ill-health, including chronic conditions, through what you eat, then doctors don’t recommend eating these types of foods at all.
DON’T BE DISMAYED!
While the thought of giving up the foods you love can be scary, and you may fear that you won’t enjoy your meals as much, the reality can be very different. Yes, it can take time to adjust and to find meals that you love, but you will learn new tips and tricks, find new recipes, and add in many more flavors.
Furthermore, there are countless resources out there to guide you along your WFPB journey, including books, documentaries, and thousands of free online recipes. Throughout this Health & Nutrition Guide, we’ll guide you to the best and most reliable resources. We’ll also tell you what you need to know about WFPB nutrition if you happen to be living with or facing a serious chronic illness.
