Plant Based Diets: The Very Extra Ordinary Meal Plan

Plant-based diets encourage many people to shift from eating meat for nutrients such as protein into plant-based sources. Most of us believe that being vegetarian is a boring idea, but well, there are ways to enjoy it.

Plant-based diets can be enjoyed because there are many types of it that you can enjoy. There are no restrictions that other diet plans have. All you have to do is enjoy the plant-based diets.

Now, the million-dollar question is, how do you enjoy plant-based diets? Here are some ways on how you can enjoy this kind of diet.

Kinds of Vegetarian

But, first, know what kind of vegetarian you are if you want to start your next day with this healthy meal plan. To identify the types of being a vegetarian it depends on what foods you choose to eat. Suppose you eat more meat, fish, or both. You should also know if you are eating lots of eggs and dairy. These are essential pointers so you would know that vegans do not eat these kinds of foods. They are avoiding and limiting their consumption of animal products and any food which has by-products of animal products.

Lacto Vegetarian

When you are a Lacto vegetarian, you are not eating red or white meat. But you are eating by-products of animals like cheese, milk, and yogurt. Of course, in moderation, so it will not affect the proportions with other plants, you will eat.

Ovo Vegetarian

Being an ovo vegetarian means you are eating eggs but not meat, fish, or any dairy products. It is as simple as saying you can egg with your plant-based diets.

Ovo – Lacto Vegetarian

This is a combination of eating eggs, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products. But still no meat in your plant-based diets. Well, if you see this kind of meal plate, then probably the person is an ovo-Lacto vegetarian.

Pescetarian

Also known as pescatarian or a person who loves to eat plant-based diets but with fish and seafood. The only restrictions are the eating of meat and fowl. So we can say that if you are having this kind of diet, you are a semi-vegetarian. Well, at least you love eating plant-based diets.

Pollotarian

When you are pollotarian, you are consuming poultry and fowl. This type of vegetarian restricts meat, fish, and seafood.

Flexitarian

When you eat a little amount of everything like meat, fish, seafood, and products from animals, this also includes consuming poultry. Maybe we cannot suggest that this can be called vegetarian, but with less meat to your diet, it means you are most likely a vegetarian.

How to Make an Exciting Plant-Based Diets

Choice 1: Adding Tofu

If you want to add a good source of protein, zinc, and iron, then adding tofu is a healthy option. It has low cholesterol and yet can give you a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. It also has calcium, which you can get from milk or dairy products. Firm tofu should provide you with satisfaction in your plant-based diets. Why? Because you can enjoy it even when you saute or grill it.

Choice 2: Trying Legumes

Legumes are a good source of protein and soluble fiber. Maybe you are wondering why protein? Protein gives us the energy for our daily tasks, so adding some legumes like beans are the right choice. But when you want to have an excellent protein source, you can add lentils. It also has twice iron nutrients compared to others. Aside from that, lentils have higher B vitamins and folate, which is suitable, especially for women. Having these in your plant-based diets can resolve any deficient of B vitamins and protein in your body.

Choice 3:  Exciting Nuts

When you are not a fan of legumes and tofu, why not give a try for nuts? Adding some nuts in your plant-based diets can be exciting. Some nuts you can add are walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, and macadamias. But make sure you will add just the right amount. Half a cup is the daily serving for nuts. More than that can alter the benefits it provides to your body. Nuts, if overeaten, give you additional weight, causing bloat. But you can burn all the calories from eating nuts by doing some exercise. Different nuts can offer you extra nutrients, but all of them carry a whole package of calories that your body can use if you consume the right amount.

Choice 4: Loving the Whole Grains

Grains can be in many forms like cereals, but make sure that you are choosing whole-grain cereals. Whole grains are better than other regular grains because it gives B12 vitamins that you can get from eggs and other dairy products as well. Other than that, whole grains can provide you with zinc, insoluble fiber, and fights off cholesterol in your body. It also reduces your chance of getting colon cancer and other digestive problems.

Choice 5: Tossing some Dried Fruits

Dried fruits can be a good twist for your plant-based diets. You want to know why? Well, because it can give you iron and protein in exciting ways like adding some nuts. Some dried fruits you can have are apricots, raisins, prunes, mangoes, pineapples, and berries. Aside from iron and protein, it has a wide array of minerals and vitamins. You will be surprised that even kids will like eating plant-based diets.

Our Insights

Indeed, plant-based diets have clear benefits, and one of the best reasons is lowering the level of blood cholesterol, which is a factor of coronary artery diseases. It can also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and gallstones.

According to a study, those who have plant-based diets for a long time have less chance of getting cancers. The nutrients like vitamins and fiber help our body to have a robust immune system and proper functioning of the digestive system.

Though there are different types of vegetarianism, it always leads to a single objective. To get the proper nutrients without eating meat and by-products of animals. And you can tell yourself that eating plant-based diets is not bad at all.