7 Tips for Transitioning to a Plant Based Diet

Obesity, heart disease, and stroke are the results of a standard American diet. Large consumptions of processed meats, sugars, and dairy have Western culture in danger. 

Ingesting red meat on a habitual basis shortens your lifespan. Products like beef, pork, and lamb links to cancer and cardiovascular concerns. Enjoying steak on the regular increases your chances of premature death by 12%. 

Making the change from this dietary pattern to a plant-based diet improves health. Lean towards more fruits and vegetables. 

Transitioning to a plant-based diet doesn’t happen overnight. Learn here how to take small steps towards getting your health in order. 

1. Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet Starts in the Mind

The body follows the mind. If you change your thought process about how and what you eat, your body will follow. 

Be open to changing your dietary strategy about health.

Giving up harmful meat products is not punishment. So don’t approach a plant-based diet thinking of it that way. A positive attitude about an alternative solution to improving your health isn’t about willpower. 

It’s about what you’ll gain from changing the types of foods you eat. You’re not giving up pizza: you’re choosing a healthier way to eat it. That’s how you prepare to transition. 

2. More Beans and Burritos, Please

That’s right! A large percentage of the foods you consume every day are plant-based foods.

Do you like Mexican? Don’t skimp on cooking up a nice big pot of spicy pintos and rice. Spoon some of it into a whole grain tortilla and call it a burrito. And guess what? You don’t have to hold back on the avocado, tomatoes, and onions. 

The same goes for foods like pasta, sushi, and soup. Eat more of the plant-based foods you like to get you through the process. 

3. Make Swaps

If you’re a staunch meat eater, giving up a nice rare t-bone for broccoli might be hard. So instead, make gradual swaps.

Switch out your red meat favorites for “fake” vegan meat. Or simply cut down at first before eliminating meat completely. Then, transition to cleaner and healthier options like tofu and tempeh instead of processed fake meat.

Making swaps helps you wean yourself off the bad foods to prepare for healthier options.

4. Ditch the “Don’t Eats”

Don’t agonize over animal products, especially the ones you don’t eat. Eliminate them all together.

Everybody has a private list of foods they don’t eat. That includes meat eaters. Ditch the animal products you don’t like and never eat on the regular. This will help shorten your swap list. 

You won’t miss what you don’t eat. 

5. Restock Your Fridge and Pantry

You won’t eat it or cook it if it’s not in the house. The best way to have a successful transition is by stocking your pantry and refrigerator the right way.

On your next run to the grocery store, fill the cart with plant-based basics. Load up vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and beans. Don’t forget the seeds for the homemade pesto you love so much.

Mushrooms should become a staple as well. A juicy portobello burger will put a steak burger to shame any day. 

6. Buy a Cookbook 

One of the main reasons people steer away from meat-free diets is because they don’t know what to cook. 

Change that by buying a cookbook.

Cookbooks are the best way to learn how to cook any style of food. Mark the pages of recipes you might like the most. Cook those often until you feel adjusted. Then try your hand at more complex recipes. 

7. Join a Plant-Based Community 

If you’re serious about this step in your health, join an online plant-based community. 

In these communities, like-minded eaters share ideas, recipes, and websites to help you stay committed. If you have allergies or food preferences, you can talk with others with similar traits. 

Go Plant-Based

Transitioning to a plant-based diet doesn’t mean you have to hate the foods you love. It all about changing the way you eat the foods you love. 

Switching out harmful meats for health-filled whole foods adds to your days. Day-by-day, make plant-based changes to your diet to enhance your health.

Try some of our plant-based recipes to get insight on more meat-free options.