Health care experts have been promoting a healthy diet for years already as it is beneficial to our overall health and can even support our weight loss goals too. It’s true that there are several diet plans that you can choose from, and one of them that is sure to help you shed weight is the plant-based diet.
As the name suggests, this diet plan revolves more on vegetables, as they are one of the best sources of energy available today, including a host of vitamins and minerals that can contribute to supporting a healthy immune system and better digestive health as well. And just like with any dieters who are starting out on a diet plan, there are a few mistakes that we get to make. If you are considering a plant-based diet, these mistakes must be avoided.
Excessive consumption of plant-based fats
Coconut oil, nut butter, and plant-based fats may be good for your health, but when you are eating them in excess, your gut and your colon will get affected. As much as you would like to use coconut oil in everything that you are cooking or eating a bag or raw almonds in one sitting, too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
Carb overloading
Those who have been following a plant-based diet may be recommended to have more carbs in their diet. But loading up on potatoes, pasta, and bread which are all starchy is not a good idea. Not only will they cause your blood sugar level to go up, but you’ll also need to have a balanced meal as much as possible. Truth be told, there are vegetables that contain carbs too such as dark leafy greens. Even fruits are good sources of carbs as well, so make sure that you add them to your diet as well.
Eating soy-based meat products
Some dieters go the easy route and simply swap their dairy and meat with faux meats as well as cheeses. And although this works for some, this should not be the main part of your diet. Keep in mind that these foods still contain plenty of sodium as well as hidden fats but without the fiber that whole foods have. If you want to do your plant-based diet right, choose soy products such as edamame, tofu, as well as tempeh as they can deliver plenty of micronutrients and protein.
Assuming all vegan foods are healthy
With the demand for vegan products rising every year, food companies are producing vegan related foods for their customers. For sure, you’ve been buying all the vegan cupcakes lately because you are assuming that they are baked with vegan ingredients, but you might be surprised to find that there are some hidden ingredients in them as well. Check out the list of ingredients, or inquire as to what they have used to make their vegan products, before you buy to ensure that what you are buying is the real deal. You are better off making your own vegan snacks just to make sure that what you are eating is appropriate for your plant-based diet.
Not being bothered by artificial flavors, natural flavors, and even preservatives
Another mistake that those who are following a plant-based diet makes is treating artificial and natural flavors as well as preservatives as good for their health. If you tend to buy things in bags, packages, as well as boxes, you will most likely regret it. One reason behind this is that they may contain carcinogens that may cause irritation.
