Plant Based Diets

It seems as though all kinds of signs are pointing me towards learning about and understanding a plant based diet.  What exactly is a plant based diet?  Well, just as it sounds.  There are really two main categories of food – food that comes from an animal source (meat, milk, etc.) and food that comes from a plant source (carrots, raspberries, etc.)

I love vegetables and fruits!  They
are the foundation to many of my meals!

When you do a Google search on plant based diets, you get a lot of opinion pieces and books for sale.  It’s seems to have gained steam in the past few years (or I’m just really behind the trends) and is hitting its popularity peak.  I saw several famous names tied to this type of diet, as well as Dr. This and Dr. That promoting their new book about it.

I have mixed opinions about it but I also see some value.  Centuries ago, people did eat a lot of natural foods that came from the ground (plant) or from an animal.  I believe Twinkies weren’t invented until in the 1930’s and the Big Mac in the 1960’s.  Processed foods haven’t been around forever.  Animals weren’t always stuffed with chemicals in order to fatten them up and prepare them more quickly for slaughter.

There are different definitions of plant based diets too.  I’ve talked to people and read about those who don’t eat legumes because they don’t believe they fit into the diet and those who will eat an animal source as long as it has been grass-fed.  I’m sure you can argue eating or not eating absolutely anything and everything on the planet.

My goal is to find a diet (not the definition where I restrict myself to a handful of foods, but the definition where it’s a means to eating) that fuels my body, mind and spirit.  I want to feel good because I believe eating poorly leaves me feeling sluggish, bloated and gross and eating well makes me feel energetic, strong and focused.  I want to move efficiently because I enjoy competing in races.  I feel as though I’ve lost sight of those goals.  For example, I’ve given in more often to a special treat here and there to the point it’s no longer special, it’s just extra daily junk I don’t need.

Is it worth giving up animal based
products such as eggs, cheese and
chicken sausage?  I'm not sure.

I just finished reading Scott Jurek’s book Eat & Run.  Jurek is a famous ultramarathoner who has lived most of his running career as a vegan.  He talks about the positive impact it’s had on his body, mind and spirit.  He’s convincing in his theory about how the body can sustain and thrive on natural sources of food.  His success, his lack of injury, his physical appearance all seem to back up his story.  Still, how does one go about completely forgoing the majority of food that is presented to us on a daily basis?

Immediately after finishing the book, I read an article in a supplement to the local newspaper about an overweight, unhealthy woman who turned everything around with a plant based diet.  Literally the next morning on a medical news show, the host did a segment on the positive effects of a plant based diet.

Am I missing something here?  Out of all the people I know in the world (not that many but more than handful), I only know a few people who eat sort of close to a plant based diet.  I don’t believe I know anyone fully committed (I guess it depends on what definition you use).  Like many fads, maybe it’s just the “flavor of the month.”  On the other hand, I can’t seem to ignore the concept.  Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great foods that generally have great sources of micro and macronutrients.  But what’s best?  Plant based diet?  Veganism?  Vegetarianism?  There are a plethora of other diet strategies to consider as well.  

Making dramatic changes to a diet can be tough to start and even tougher to stick with.  Even making small changes can start out well and eventually fade into the background.  There’s a common statement I hear from others all the time: I just got tired and lazy with my diet, I don’t have the time anymore to make healthy meals, I feel like I deserve to eat [insert less than healthy item here].

What influences your daily eating habits?  Do you base your eating routine on any particular theory or idea?  Have you found that a certain eating routine makes you feel your best (or worst)?  I am always interested in other’s stories and opinions so feel free to chime in on diet.  I’m on a continued quest to learn, understand, decide and execute and I’m still in the learning phase!

Miss FitGab