It can get confusing. Vegan, Plant-Based, Whole Food Plant-Based, and Whole Food Plant-Based Vegan Diet. All are similar, but there is only one that I believe will optimize your health. So what’s the big difference? Let me try to explain as simply as I can.
Someone that says they eat plant-based can mean many things. I would assume that someone that says they eat plant-based means the majority of their meals consist of plants with no animal products. Some may say they are plant-based but still consume a small number of animal products. The majority of people who do say they eat plant-based I don’t think will admit they eat animal products part but it still falls under the umbrella of plant-based eating since their diet is based on plants.
A person who claims to eat a vegan diet is telling you that they consume zero animal products. In no way, shape, or form does this person ingest anything vegan. I would go further to suggest that if someone says they are vegan, they are more than likely choosing veganism as a lifestyle, which promotes eliminating any animal products from their lifestyle. This would include shoes, clothes, furniture, and any other product that uses or abuses animals to produce. As I have gone down the plant-based path, I have a lot of admiration for those that support and advocate for animal rights. It has really opened my eyes to how animals are truly abused.
A whole-food plant-based diet is taking the plant-based diet and removing all processed foods. In order to consume food on this diet, meals must be plant-based and made from whole foods. Foods that are eliminated from this diet would be plant-based meats, chips, health bars, etc. An easy way to figure out if something fits on this diet is to read the nutrition label. If it has ingredients you cannot pronounce or has different types of acids, flours, etc, it is probably processed and not to be consumed on a whole-food plant-based diet. Some people may include a minimal amount of animal products. For me personally, I wasn’t aware people would until I came across numerous references on the internet.
Using simple logic we can combine the last two styles of eating to create a whole-foods plant-based vegan diet. This is all whole foods and no animal products. Pretty basic, but most nutritious.
So how do I eat? My aim every day is to eat a 100% whole-foods plant-based vegan diet. For me, it supports optimal health and longevity. I feel the absolute best on this diet. I have lost weight effortlessly on this diet. I feel connected to my body and the food it absorbs. It may sound too good to be true or magical even, but it’s the truth. Give it a try. If you’re not sure take baby steps. Read here to get started! Also, consider where I was and where I am now by checking out my ebook.
