Getting Started on a Plant-Based Diet

Welcome to Plant-Based Cooking with me, Diane Smith. I’ve been promoting a plant-based lifestyle since 2011, and I’m delighted you’ve found your way here!

Are you looking for ways to prevent or reverse disease so you worry less, lose weight, stop cravings, heal, have control, and live a long and healthy life?

If you’re already prepping, cooking, and eating that way, good for you! You’re ready to check out my plant-based recipes.

However, if you’re struggling and need help figuring out how to proceed, read on…

Eating a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to gain optimum health, so let’s get started.

The Villain: The Standard American Diet (SAD)

We know our years are finite, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start at any age to lay the foundation for a healthy, long, and satisfying life.

However, temptation is everywhere. Every day, we’re confronted with unhealthy images and tempting food that encourage us to eat the wrong things.

From an early age, we’re exposed to the Standard American Diet (SAD), which includes high intakes of red and processed meats, prepackaged foods, butter, fried foods, high-fat dairy products, eggs, refined grains, high-fructose corn syrup, and sugary drinks.

The SAD diet kills 11 million people around the world, in part from bad food choices and lack of access to good ones… even more than cigarette smoking!

Not only that, but confusing messages also cloud what counts as a healthy diet. No wonder you’re frustrated!

If you choose to take care of yourself by eating a plant-based diet, exercising, practicing mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones, the odds are that you’ll reach your goal of a long and happy life.

Your Story

YOUR EXTERNAL PROBLEM
After years of overindulgence or neglect, you may have gained weight, have heart problems, diabetes, or an inflammatory condition. Or you don’t have the vim and vigor you once had and don’t know how to change-no wonder you’re scared and uncertain about the future.

I feel your struggle because I’ve been there, too.

YOUR INTERNAL PROBLEM
You may also feel it’s too difficult to figure out how to change your diet. Perhaps you’re feeling frustrated and want to give up, returning to your old ways. You might feel out of control or just plain ol’ discouraged after many attempts to do it right. Or, perhaps you feel like a loser with no willpower.

It’s not your fault!

IT SHOULDN’T BE THIS WAY
Unfortunately, our modern environment, misguided upbringings, and even our genes can make it difficult to eat the right way. It shouldn’t be this way!

Instead, you should feel satisfied with plant-based foods, which nature provides and which science says are the optimal way to eat for health and longevity.

I’ll Be Your Guide

I do care. I am passionate and hopeful that you will find the path to your health and life goals. With me as your guide, you can take control now and increase your years of healthy, vital living. You’ll also be contributing to the well-being of the planet and animals.

If you want to email me, I always answer every email: diane [at] plantbasedcooking [dot] com. Or check out my READER QUESTIONS posts, as your questions may already have been answered.

Keep reading to discover how to start your journey today and join my email newsletter list, and I’ll send motivational and informative articles and recipes for living a plant-based life each week.

Here are some of the things you’ll discover:

what the right foods are to eat, and how to get the right nutrition
how to plan a meal and shop
delicious plant-based recipes
most of all, why it’s hard to resist temptation, and how to resist

If you let me guide you, you’ll be on the way to optimum health before you know it. We have some ground to cover, so read on for helpful links to starting a plant-based diet.

You’ve got this.

But first, here’s a little bit about me.

My Story

You may want to read a little about how I started eating a plant-based diet, my struggles with health, and how I healed myself. Read my article, “My Personal Healthy Journey.” I know that living a long, healthy life is probably important to you, which is why I believe in eating smarter to live longer. I’d love to hear your story about why you want to adopt a plant-based diet or how it’s helped you heal. If you’d like to share your story with my readers, drop me a line at diane@plantbasedcooking.com.

Beginner’s Guide: How to start a Plant-Based diet

The following articles will guide you in implementing a plant-based lifestyle and include some of the first steps to success.

Food: What to Eat

All of the plant-based doctors recommend eating an abundance of FRESH FRUITS and VEGETABLES, LEGUMES, and WHOLE GRAINS, but NO DAIRY or EGGS, and VERY LITTLE or NO MEAT or PROCESSED OIL.

However, each doctor’s recommendations vary a bit. Some, notably Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, recommend eating no added oil, nuts, or avocados, while Dr. Joel Fuhrman recommends eating 1-2 ounces of nuts and seeds per day, plus avocado and more non-starchy vegetables.

I recommend avoiding added oils, including olive oil, avoiding refined sugar, and keeping sodium low.

Here’s my in-depth guide on what to eat on a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Follow these links to discover more about plant-based foods and how to eat a plant-based diet.

Freebies

And don’t forget to check out my FREE GIFTS to make your journey even more effortless.

Recipes & Articles

Now hop on over to read my 12 tips for getting started on a plant-based diet. You’ll also want to peruse all of the recipes, add your weekly meal planner (a free giveaway), and explore the other articles to help you start living a plant-based lifestyle today.

Welcome! Please let me know in the comments below what motivated you to adopt a plant-based diet or how it has helped you live a healthier life. You can also email me at diane@plantbasedcooking.com.

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