Plant-based diet planning

• Are you vegetarian or vegan, and concerned that your diet might not be providing you with everything you need?
• Are you thinking of going veg, but have some worries or fears about it?
• Are you wondering whether you can have a healthy vegetarian or vegan pregnancy, baby and child?
• Has your child decided to go veg, and you don’t know what to feed him or her?

Then read on…

A wholefood plant-based diet is the healthiest way to eat! But a diet is not necessarily healthy just because it’s vegetarian or vegan. I’ve encountered plenty of what I call ‘junk-atarians’ in my practice: people who avoid animal products but replace them with low-nutrient foods like pasta, bread, vegetarian convenience foods and sweets. Understandably, their health suffers from these poor nutritional choices.

You can’t achieve vibrant health just by excluding animal products. You have to include ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other unrefined, high-nutrient foods like legumes, nuts and seeds.

Sadly, many of my vegetarian and vegan clients (and a lot of those who have been considering adopting a plant-based diet, have been told by doctors, dietitians and even other naturopaths, that plant-based diets are intrinsically inadequate, no matter how well-planned they are. These ill-informed practitioners advise that plant-based diets lack protein, calcium, iron and other nutrients; and are dangerous for children and pregnant women.

There is absolutely no evidence to support these old-fashioned, unscientific notions.

Even the ultra-conservative Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) states that

“Scientific data suggest positive relationships between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions, including obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and some types of cancer. Vegetarian diets, like all diets, need to be planned appropriately to be nutritionally adequate… appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”

As a long-time vegan myself, the mother of 2 healthy vegan children, and nutritional adviser to many healthy, vibrant vegetarian and vegan people, I can unreservedly assure you that a plant-based diet centred on vegetables, legumes, fruits, seeds and nuts, and whole grains is delicious, promotes sustainable weight loss, and is health- and energy-supporting. It can even help you prevent and overcome diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many types of cancer.

Are you considering adopting a plant-based diet for ethical, health or environmental reasons? Good for you! I’d love to provide you with expert guidance in constructing and adopting a plant-based diet that meets all your nutrient needs, maximises your health and vitality now, and provides you with the highest possible level of protection against chronic degenerative disease in the future.

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