One of the most powerful ways to improve your health, boost energy levels, and prevent chronic diseases is to move to a plant-based diet. If you’ve seen Forks Over Knives, you know that science shows changing your nutrition is a powerful way to live longer, help the environment, and reduce your risk of getting sick.
I know so many people interested in becoming more plant-based, but they don’t have a clue where to start! They tell me they are overwhelmed with recipes, grocery shopping, ordering at restaurants, and finding food they will actually enjoy. I agree, it can definitely be overwhelming when you are making any sort of lifestyle change. That is why I decided to provide you with 5 simple ways to start going plant-based.
1.) Follow Inspiring Social Media Accounts
Let’s face it. We’re all on social media all the time. Are you paying attention to who you follow and what is consistently coming up in your feed? Get rid of the negativity or the accounts that don’t do you any good, and start following people who inspire you. There are so many wonderful health and plant-based accounts that I recommend you filling up your social media newsfeeds with! I love hopping on social media and seeing yummy recipes and healthy, inspiring people living their best lives because it inspires me! When you are constantly seeing healthy recipes, food choices, and posts about nutrition and wellness, all of those topics will remain in the forefront of your mind! PlantYou and MrsJackedonPlants are a couple of my favorite plant-based instagram accounts. Take the time to clean up your social media and defriend those who don’t inspire or serve a purpose to your every day life and how you want to live.
2.) Start Saving New Recipes
Find as many new plant-based recipes that you can from bloggers and people you follow online. Take one day a week to go through your recipes, print them out, and work on a grocery list for everything you need to buy.
3.) Try a Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service
I’ve been using Purple Carrot for over 4 years now. When I first decided to change my diet, I only cut out meat. I highly recommend starting small, and not making a ton of drastic changes all at once. When I cut out meat, I switched my meal delivery service to Purple Carrot and it helped me tremendously. This takes the work out of menu planning and grocery shopping for part of your week! I love knowing that every Monday I am getting 3 healthy, plant-based meals delivered to my doorstep. They feed my whole family ( even the small box! ) and I’ve never been unhappy with any of the meals. They also force me to try out new plant-based substitutes and vegetables I may not normally cook with.
Use the code LIVELEAN for $30 off your first box! This is a huge savings for a week of meals for you or you and your family!
4.) Start by Making Just a Few Substitutes for Your Favorite Foods and Recipes
I started a “Sub this for That” series, with ideas on plant-based substitutes for your favorite foods. You don’t even need all new recipes. You can simply swap out what you were using for a plant-based substitute. As I mentioned before, don’t try to change your whole diet overnight. I started with cutting out meat for 6 months, and then I cut out fish. And, then dairy. It was a slow transition for me, but it helped me stay accountable, take the time to do more research, and it ultimately helped me be successful.
If you love chicken and are worried you won’t find a good substitute, check out these ideas. Or maybe you are struggling replacing ground beef? I got you covered here.
5.). Find Your Motivation
What is truly your motivating factor in switching your diet? There are a few motivating factors for going plant-based: health, environmental, or ethical.
When things feel difficult, you can focus on your ‘why’ for going plant-based. Is it to improve your heart health? Is to to have more energy and be able to run around with your kids? Or maybe you want to lower your risk for cancer and other diseases or to lose weight and feel good? Or maybe you want to reduce your environmental impact and help save the Earth? Or you’re doing it to reduce the number of animals being used for food? Whatever it is, making choices based on your personal values rather than trends will be more sustainable.
Find a good community that will help lift you up and support you. You can always follow along right here on LiveLeanLindy.com or on my Instagram. If you are on Facebook and local to the Indianapolis area, there is a great Vegetarian and Vegan group that provides tons of information for local restaurants and businesses and events in the Indy area.
You only get one life to live, so make sure you’re living it on YOUR terms, as the best version of yourself. You deserve to be healthy and happy. I am always here to provide you with any guidance you need getting started with living a healthier, leaner life.
