Understanding All About A Whole Food Plant Based Diet
A whole food plant-based diet is a diet where all the food you consume comes from the earth, and processed foods and animal-based foods are eliminated from the diet.
Many people who consume a whole food plant-based diet may also eat a lot of raw food because raw foods retain most of their nutrients.
Plant Foods To Consume
Following the Dr Sebi food list will provide you with the most nutritious and health supporting foods. The plant foods on the list are non-hybrid alkaline foods the alkalize and remove excess mucus from the body, which are keys to keeping the body healthy.
- Fruits: Provide quick burning energy in the form of naturally good carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in fruits are called simple sugars and are the primary fuel for humans. Because of their simple structure they are quickly digested and quickly used by the body to provide energy to support metabolic functions like walking, running, playing, and working. Fruits also contain an abundance of phytonutrients that help strengthen the immune system to protect the body against disease. Though fruits are often eaten as a treat because of their sweetness, they are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and carbohydrates and can serve as a staple of the diet.
- Vegetables: Compared to fruits, fruits contain more macronutrients (carbohydrates) than green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are more micronutrient dense than fruits though, and are a better source of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will supply the energy and and most of the nutrients needed to support homeostasis; the state where the organs are operating at peak efficiency.
- Herbs: They are a welcomed addition to a plant-based diet and any diet because they add flavor to food. In addition to the flavor, herbs are protective of health because they are loaded with disease fighting phytonutrients.
- Nuts: The body doesn’t need a lot of fat but the fat it needs plays vital roles in supporting health. The brain is composed largely of fat and the good fats people consume are protective of the brain. Nuts like walnuts are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Though nuts are rich in fat they are also good sources of protein.
Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet
Numerous scientific studies show a well-balanced plant-based diet is protective of health because it provides natural building blocks that kill pathogens and remove toxins in the body, while it eliminates the consumption of pathogen and toxin laden meat products and processed foods.
- Cancer: The consumption of meat products is associated with increased risk of cancer and heart disease. People often turn to meat consumption to get their protein but it is not necessary because all the protein the is needed to support metabolic functions can be easily gotten from the consumption of a well-balanced plant-based diet.
- Cardiovascular health: The risk of heart disease increases as cholesterol levels increase and eating animal-based foods add unneeded cholesterol to the body. The body actually makes all the cholesterol it needs from consumed fat. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol so it is safer to consume plant proteins from nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains.
