Should I Go Plant-Based?

Plant Based is one of the newest buzzwords in the food and nutrition industry. But what does it really mean? It depends on who you talk to about it.

Some people mean eating a Vegan diet which is not eating any animal meat or products. That means no poultry, beef, pork, seafood, fish, eggs, dairy or even honey. This diet can be good for a short period of time if it is comprised of primarily whole foods. However, many tend to rely on processed foods such as soy or other items made from processed “plant based” foods. This diet can become nutrient devoid and many would need to supplement with vitamin B12 and iron. 

Many “plant based” processed foods are made from processed soy or pea protein such as the “Impossible Burger” or “Beyond” Burger. They have many ingredients, preservatives and processed forms of soy or pea. They are surprisingly high in fat at 18 grams. 

In comparison, a grass fed beef burger has only 8 grams of fat and only 1 ingredient. Chicken thighs have almost 9 grams of fat and 1 ingredient as well. Check your food labels and compare the ingredients, calories, fat, carbohydrates and protein. Choose wisely! 

If you are considering eating a plant based, I sincerely hope it means eating more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fats such as avocado and coconut, nuts, seeds, and beans. I would support that! So, please be careful of the mass media marketing of “plant-based” foods. Choose mostly whole foods in their original form with some fat to help you absorb the nutrients. 

If you are considering going “plant-based” for ethical reasons check out Diana Rodgers RD NTP for more information about how grass fed meat can actually help our planet. However, if you have a difficult time digesting animal proteins consider you may have some mineral deficiencies that can decrease your ability to digest meat. One such mineral is zinc. It is used to make our stomach acid where we start digesting our proteins and if that is low, you can have a loss of taste for meat. I’d be happy to help you figure out what is happening digestively that is causing you to have a loss of a taste for meat. 

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