A Plant-Based Diet−Defined

You may have been hearing a lot about plant-based eating recently, and with good reason. However, the term “plant-based diet” is somewhat open to interpretation when it comes to nutritional content and value. In other words, not all plant-based foods are good for you. Consider French fries, Wonder bread, or junk “kid” cereals, for example.

There are also different adaptations when it comes to plant-based eating, from a flexitarian approach−which allows for the occasional, moderate consumption of lean meat or dairy−to a vegan approach which excludes all animal foods/products.

To distinguish this approach to food from a health standpoint, we can upgrade the term to a “healthy, whole food plant-based diet” (WFPB). A healthy WFPB diet emphasizes fresh, whole foods derived from plants—including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds—while minimizing or excluding animal products and processed/refined foods.

The WFPB dietary approach also phases out highly processed junk foods/snacks, refined white flour products, white rice, sugary drinks, and excessive red or processed meats.