Nutrition Education and Plant Based Diets

We all need to eat food in order to live and to continue to be alive. The foods we eat on a daily basis are the building blocks for growth and development and they also play a key role in the healing and repair of the body. Foods are also instrumental in providing our bodies with the fuel it needs to go about the daily activities of our busy lives.

Eating as Nature Intended

To function properly we need to eat food but not just any food, we need foods that are as natural as possible. Foods that are as close to being in their natural state and are as nature intended can provide us with all of the nutrients we need to be nutritionally balanced. Whole foods plant based diets fit the bill and are so much healthier than the genetically processed, modified and refined foods that we have become so accustomed to eating.

When food is processed the nutrients are taken from it. On the contrary when you eat whole foods the nutrients are as they should be- they are in there! When you eat processed foods instead of getting all of the good materials, such as vitamins and minerals you end up taking in chemicals and additives and there are also extra calories that come with eating these unhealthy foods. Refined foods are also stripped of essential nutrients and the beneficial fiber that your body requires to keep your system regular.

Without the right combination of nutrients it is not a simple task to be healthy. Proper whole food nutrition can only come from adhering to a whole foods plant based diet.

If achieving and maintaining optimum health is important to you then you need to care about the quality of the food that you are eating. After all quality of life and quality of food are related. For health and vitality eating as nature intended is a prerequisite.

Plant Based Diet Equals Improved Health

When you make the decision to start eating in a more natural manner your life will start to change for the better. Your physical health will start to show improvement and this will have positive effects for your mental and psychological well-being. The whole foods plant based diet is rich in nutrients and is high in its fiber content. It is low in both fat and protein. While you need some fat and protein in your diet too much is not good for you. Plant based diets can give you more energy and can also reduce your risk factors for a number of serious diseases. Studies have shown that women who switch to a whole foods plant based diet have stronger bones and are less prone to fractures as they age. Osteoporosis is less common in women who eat plant based diets.

Benefits of Plant Based Diets

A plant based diet will improve the functioning of your body. But that is only one of its many benefits. It is better for the environment than a diet that is meat-based. Less land is required and it is animal friendly. Eating whole foods plant based diets helps to preserve our planet.

If you are looking for ways to pinch pennies than eating a plant based diet will help to preserve your pocketbook too. It is much more economical than eating meat on a regular basis.

Foods Eaten on a Plant Based Diet

Here are the most common foods found on a plant based diet: -raw and cooked vegetables (greens, herbs, sprouts, squash and root vegetables) -fresh and dried fruits (apples, apricots, berries) -legumes (beans, lentils, peas) -whole grains (barley, millet, rye, spelt) -nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and walnuts)

A whole foods plant based diet can make you a healthier person and can lead to longevity and a greater sense of wellness. As well when you are healthier on the inside it will show on the outside!