Plant-based diets offer all the essential protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health, says Rohit Shah

There are many arguments regarding the best diet. Nevertheless, health and wellness communities admit that diets highlighting fresh, whole ingredients and minimising processed foods are excellent for overall wellness of the body.

The whole-foods, plant-based diet does just that. Dropping the phrase “plant-based diet” is in a buzz when talking about nutrition these days. But why is it so hot right now? Because it focuses on minimally processed foods, specifically plants, and can improve your health, boost energy levels, and prevent chronic diseases. Plant-based diets also offer all the essential protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health, and are also higher in fiber and phytonutrients.

Plant-based VS vegan:

The vegan doesn’t consume any animal products, including meat, eggs, milk, dairy, and honey. Yet, a vegan diet is not always as nutritionally virtuous as a plant-based lifestyle. The focus of vegan is usually set to avoid animal products, but the priority is not set on unprocessed whole foods based on plants.

On the contrary, fully avoiding animal products dosen’t mean following a plant-based lifestyle (like a vegetarian or vegan). In fact for plant-based eaters, animal proteins can happily fit into the lifestyle, yet they typically serve as more of a supporting role to your veggies and whole grains. Therefore, a plant-based includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. Overall, plant-based lifestyle is more of a flexible and broad way of thinking about nutrition and ingredient quality. Moreover, with a plant-based diet, the focus is on simple, nutritious and whole foods.

So if you’re probably thinking that moving to a plant-based diet sounds like a great idea, but you don’t know where to start. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Eat ample vegetables. At lunch or dinner, fill half your plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner. Try to include plenty of colours when picking your vegetables. Enjoy vegetables as a snack with salsa, hummus or guacamole.

Include whole grains for breakfast: Start with quinoa, oatmeal, buckwheat, or barley. You can also add some nuts or seeds along with fresh fruit.

Go for greens: Try a variety of green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, and other greens every day. Steam, grill, braise, or stir-fry to preserve their nutrients and flavour.

Besides all these, the most effective and nutritious plant based food is Hemp and hemp seeds. It is because, they are one of those few superfoods which are incredibly healthy.

The writer is  Co-founder & CEO, Hemp Horizons Pvt Ltd