How to easily eat more plants and vegetables
Initially, you think, “I’ve heard plants are good for me and my doctor suggested I incorporate more into my diet.” You set a goal of eating more plants and it could result in incredible success(es) or a feeling of frustration when inspiration dwindles into “I don’t like eating plants.” What leads to successful changes? A simple plan, sustainable unstoppable motivation, and immediate success. This is where a health coach comes in handy. They control the roadmap while you drive and occasionally, they help you accelerate, brake and detour as you push toward your health milestones.
Where to start?
The question I might ask a client “What do you know about the benefits of eating plants and what plants do you enjoy eating?”
Let’s start by understanding how eating more plants affects YOUR BEST HEALTH. A little research goes a long way in understanding how plants are beneficial to you and positively supports your reason(s) for making a change. If you have a list of reasons NOT to change, self-research is prudent versus someone else telling you why you should change.
Plants are your nutritional army for fighting diseases, especially autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Plants are a frontline immune defense, and offences for disease prevention and sustained health. Plants provide necessary vitamins and minerals essential for our existence. Plants can provide proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to fuel your body along with key fibers [pre-biotics] to maintain gut health.
Plants are the food for our gut bugs. (look for the upcoming blog: A deep dive into fiber, probiotics, post-biotics and how these impact your health) Your gut is arguably another brain for your body…. Your upstairs brain works best when your downstairs gut-brain performs at its best. The fiber from plants feed the bacteria in your gut which produce important and essential body nutrients [signals] that can keep your hormones in balance, support your cardiovascular health, detoxify your liver, and improve mood, to name a few.
You can often consume more food and feel fuller by adding plants to your diet. This can help you achieve calorie deficit goals prescribed for weight loss. Plants can provide a satiated feeling and longer steady energy source compared to a lot of processed foods.
Plants help kick sugar cravings, by offering complex carbohydrates versus simple sugars to fuel up, curbing the carb euphoria and crash addiction cycle. (look for an upcoming BLOG on obliterating sugar addiction step by step support).
Are ALL plants the same? Nope, some plants are a great benefit for most everyone, however, some plants should be avoided for some individuals. Plants can interact with medications, cause allergic response and intolerance. (look for upcoming blog: What plants are best for my nutritional needs and how to properly select and prepare/cook them for the maximum nutritional benefit).
Now that you know some health benefits, would you consider plants as your main meal? This shift in mindset could make a positive impact on every organ system of your body. Imagine your plate filled with a colorful display of fruits and vegetables and your side dish, a palm size portion of lean protein. This vision might inspire you initially to make a change, but will this change stick? What will keep you committed to plant building your diet?
Let’s go a bit deeper… If you had a magic pill to make your gut, brain, and body function better… why is this important? What does that really do for you? Hold on to that answer.
Take a moment and look into the future. What does your health look like in 5-10 years? Who is you with? What have you accomplished? What does healthy look like, and feel like in 5-10 years? What do you need to accomplish that health vision? Who besides you, does your future (and current) health impact?
A vision example, written in present tense as though it is already happening. “I am an active energetic grandmother that is fully engaged and a support in my family’s life without being a health burden in time or money. I am teaching my grandchildren to ski. I golf with friends and family weekly, I hike mountains for the bird’s eye view, and travel my bucket list. I have a strong body and mind. I am happy, positive, grateful and spiritually fulfilled. I am an example of health and wellness for others. I am in control of my well-being.”
“This health vision motivates me to make the simple daily decisions like choosing carrots over chips and to load my plate with colorful fruits and vegetables so I can live my best life and personal healthstyle now and in the future! My vision is BIG but attainable. My goal is to start eating a rainbow of colorful vegetables.”
If the vision of your best health is clear, then YOUR motivation is clear and your quest for health and wellness becomes unstoppable! In this example, adding plants to your daily routine supports your physical and mental fitness required to achieve your best health. Your future grandchildren are depending on you to make the right decisions now regarding your health so your future self [grandmother] is a badass.