If you are brand new to plant based eating, you might be getting a little overwhelmed with all the information out there. There is a lot to learn, from what you can and can’t eat, to how much, and how to read labels for ingredients. Here is a simple list of some do’s and don’ts that will help you navigate this new healthy lifestyle.
Do’s
First up, let’s talk about what you can do while you are switching to plant based eating. These are some easy tips and guidelines to live by to help it work best for you.
Eat Breakfast Daily – With plant based eating, you want to have enough fuel to get you through the day, so make sure you are having breakfast each morning. Having a breakfast smoothie (a mix of greens, fruit, oats, chia and protein such as hemp seeds or nuts works well), or oats is totally fine. Just put something in your body within the first hour of waking.
Eat More Frequently, Smaller Meals – You may find that you do get a bit hungrier in the beginning when you are switching. That’s because your digestion is working more effectively rather than being sluggish. When following the TBG diet, eating until you are full is perfectly fine as you are not eating the same quantity of calories that you were eating.
Meal Prep and Plan – It is vital that you are fully prepared for anything that might come up, which starts with planning all meals and snacks. If you plan on going on a hike or traveling, have plenty of snacks you can bring with you.
Choose Natural Fruit Sources – Instead of having added sugar in your diet, go for natural sugar sources, like dates or fresh fruit.
Don’ts
There are also some common mistakes people tend to make while eating plant based. Here are some of those important ‘don’ts’ to keep in mind.
Eat Packaged Foods – One of the simplest ways to clean up your diet is to avoid packaged and processed food. This means skipping all those bags of chips and crackers, and packaged cookies. Stick to stuff you can make or bake from scratch. However, on the TBG diet I do suggest having some clean choices of packaged foods as what I call ‘filler foods’ as long as they meet the criteria.
Drink Empty Calories – There is no reason you should be drinking soft drinks and sugary fruit juice during the day. These are definitely not included in wholefood plant based eating, they have no nutritional value, and are just adding on the calories and fat you don’t need. Instead, stick to water, tea, some coffee, and juices or smoothies you make at home.
Skip the Healthy Fats – While you want to avoid excessive amounts of fat like from butter, margarine, all oils, and red meat, other fats are healthy and can keep you full. Don’t forget to add in healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocados.
