When it comes to choosing a diet plan for weight loss or otherwise, there are lots of debate and discussions about what should you opt for. Lately, the Whole Food Plant-Based Diet or the WFPB Diet has been gaining popularity among those seeking a lean and fit eating regime. So what is this diet plan about?
The WFPB Diet
As the name suggests, WFPB diet includes everything in its most natural form, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds etc. which makes for the core diet. It emphasizes whole and least processed foods and restricts animal and dairy products, refined foods like white flour or juices, packaged or artificially sweetened foods, fast food, etc.
Though it looks stringent, WFPB can be designed to be flexible, depending on your health and is not to be confused with vegan or a vegetarian diet. A whole food plant-based diet allows you to supplement your meal plans with a small portion of animal products from time to time, provided they are organically and locally sourced. The idea is to keep the focus on plants and whole foods and include small quantities of animal protein like seafood, eggs, or lean meat, only if and when needed to fulfill your dietary requirements.
Why should you follow a WFPB diet?
If followed properly, a plant-based diet can better result in weight loss and address health concerns than a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Here are a few good reasons to consider adopting a WFPB diet for yourself:
- The diet focuses on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables which are rich in fiber in their original forms. Combine this with ‘no-processed’ food and you have the perfect recipe for weight loss.
- Cutting down on excess animal protein helps ease out the metabolism.
- With fast food, canned, boxed, and sugary food strictly off-limits, you have more chances of staying healthy.
- A plant-based diet is not only good for you but is also good for the environment. Studies have shown that people following a plant-based diet have lesser environment footprints.
- Besides weight loss, eating naturally grown and available food keeps you healthy inside-out thus reducing symptoms of chronic lifestyle diseases.
- Plant-based food is heart-healthy and the core items of WFPB diet like whole grains, nuts, seed, and fruits are known to significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases as compared to those who follow non-plant based diets.
- Health experts believe that adopting a WFPB diet can work as an effective mechanism to manage and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. A recent study found that plant-based food habits can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes as much as 50% when compared to non-plant based diets. For those who are already diabetic, whole foods can help control the blood sugar levels to a great extent.
- Plants and plant-based foods help keep the blood pressure in check thus warding off hypertension and stress levels in adults.
- Eating more vegetables, fruits, and nuts are said to reduce cognitive decline in older adults, preventing chances of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Apart from the major medical benefits, resorting to natural substances are good for your overall health and wellness. Plant-based foods simply make for a healthy lifestyle and can prove to be beneficial in the long run so you can think, feel and live better!