Your diet has a major impact on your well-being, which is why it’s important to choose foods that allow your body to thrive. When you consume foods that boost your energy, prevent inflammation and give your body the fuel it needs, you can expect to feel healthier, both physically and emotionally.

When it comes to finding the right foods to eat, there are plenty of opinions out there. From vegan and vegetarian to full-fat and high-protein, it’s tricky to determine what’s right for you. However, millions of people and many scientific studies are proving just how beneficial a plant-based diet can be.

Read on to learn more about what makes up a plant-based diet and find out how easy it is to make the switch.

What is a Plant-Based Diet?

As the name suggests, a plant-based diet comprises foods that come from… well, plants! This incorporates fruits and vegetables, but there’s much more to offer when you’re eating a plant-based diet. Legumes, nuts, beans, seeds, and whole grains are all plant based, so you can create varied and healthy meals while adhering to a plant based plan.

There’s naturally some overlap between plant-based diets and other types of eating. Plant-based and vegan diets are, perhaps, the most similar, but there is a crucial difference: vegans avoid all animal products while people following a plant-based diet may choose to eat animal products from time-to-time.

Rather than being a strict plant only regime, a plant based or plant forward diet simply encourages you to consume fewer animal products and more plant-based foods. Because of this, it’s easy to embrace a plant-based diet and make it part of your usual routine.

To find out how to get started with a plant based eating regime, look at these top tips:

Make Easy Substitutes

If you love carbs, it’s easy to switch to a plant-based diet. Simply switch from refined options, like white bread, to whole grain alternatives, like our Multigrain Pitas. As well as being free from trans fats and cholesterol, they’re packaged in handy packs of three, which makes it easy and convenient to whip up a snack, prepare a lunch or bulk out your dinner.

Whole grain products typically contain more fiber than other breads with a higher glycemic index, which means they can boost your health in several ways. From enhanced digestion to more stable blood sugars, there are many benefits when you incorporate more whole grains into your diet.

Don’t Use Meat as a Main Component

If you’re a meat-eater, there’s a good chance that most of your meals feature meat as the principal component. Think about your last few dinner plates – if meat was the centerpiece and whole grains or vegetables were simply an after-thought, it might be time to mix things up a little.

If you want to keep eating meat while embracing a plant-based diet, it’s certainly fine to do so. However, use meat as an ‘extra’, rather than as the key component of a meal. When you make vegetables, nuts or whole grains your main meal and add a little meat, for example, you’ll be significantly reducing your consumption and increasing the volume of plant-based foods you consume instead.

Make Gradual Changes

Drastically changing your eating habits can be challenging, particularly if you’ve been eating the same foods for a long time. Although some people manage it, attempting to significantly alter your diet often means you’re more likely to fall back into old habits.

In contrast, small, sustainable changes are easier to manage and much simpler to implement. When you use our great-tasting multi-grain pita breads, for example, you’ll hardly notice you’re eating plant based!

Gradual changes are easier to cope with psychologically and you won’t feel you’re depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy. As you experiment with plant-based foods, feel their benefits, and experience how delicious they are, you’ll naturally gravitate towards them and make them a more central feature of your diet.

Try New Things

If you don’t eat a lot of fruits or vegetables, following a plant-based diet might sound difficult (or impossible!), but it doesn’t have to be. Trying new varieties of fruits and veggies can be a great way to broaden your horizons and discover more plant-based foods you love. After all, there are thousands of different options out there, so why limit yourself?

Remember–there are endless ways that fruit and vegetables can be prepared. If you’re not a fan of veggies because you remember them as over-boiled and under-flavored, get yourself in the kitchen and start experimenting. When you roast, pan-fry or steam vegetables, you can enjoy their true flavor and realize just how delicious they are.

Start Meal Planning

Meal planning can be a great way to reduce the time you spend in the kitchen and cut the cost of your groceries. When you plan your meals in advance, you can bulk-buy ingredients and undertake a lot of the prep in one go, which means you can whip up great-tasting plant based meals in minutes.

When you’re hungry and there’s nothing on hand, it’s easy to order takeout or rely on junk food, but when you’ve got a healthy and nutritious meal available at all times, you’ll find it’s easy to embrace a plant based lifestyle.

What Are the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet?

Many people find that a plant-based diet helps them feel more energetic, less bloated, and more alert. Following a plant based plan can help to lower your cholesterol and even facilitate weight loss. What’s more–a plant-based diet is more environmentally friendly than other options, so it’s a brilliant choice if you’re committed to sustainability!

At Toufayan® Bakeries, we’re proud to offer a range of wholegrain and multi-grain products that can be enjoyed as part of a plant-based diet. Look at our full section of products to learn more today.

Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor before trying any new diet. We are no substitute for nutritionists.

Recommended Plant-Based Recipes

See below for five delicious, plant-based dishes you can make with Toufayan products! Click the link under each dish for the full recipe and ingredients needed.

Rainbow Kale Salad with Pita Bread

Feast your eyes on the radiance of this rainbow kale salad, glistening with each colorful ingredient. It’s the perfect salad for lunch or dinner…or both!

Toufayan Ricotta & Pomegranate Breakfast Flatbread

The perfect combination of salty and sweet in one meal to start your day!

Strawberry Basil Smart Pockets™

A hearty treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack on the go!

Spinach & Mushroom Tandoori Flatbread

Toufayan’s new Tandoori Flatbreads are the perfect choice for any flatbread recipe! Try this with our Original or Whole Wheat flavors.

Falafel Pita

An easy to make, classic mediterranean lunch, great for leftovers!