Whether you’re curious about plant-based eating or you’re inspired to go all in – yay you! Health benefits and good food await, and there’s been no better time to try it. There are also more restaurants than ever catering to plant-based preferences. So, curbside or home-cooked, access to great food and recipes has never been easier.
Plant-based eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be good. It also doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing mindset to be worth it. Like any new habit, it’s easy to burn out quickly if we try and do too much too soon. It’s better to start small and eventually make your way to the proverbial finish line than start off too strong only to abandon it a few weeks later because it was unsustainable.
Yes, some people can and will successfully change their diet in one go and find it sustainable. However, taking smaller steps to get started is very effective for long-term success too. So, what are some ways you can turn your newfound inspiration into consistent action? Consider a few different ways to get started.
Getting started with plant-based eating.
The good news is there is no one way to become plant-based.
Start with one meal.
Pick the easiest meal where you can make the change. There are many breakfast options that are quick, easy to prepare and already plant-based. Consider cereals, oats, toast and smoothies. Toast some bread, add peanut butter, apple slices and honey, and you’re good to go.
Start with one day.
If the idea of one meal a day seems too hard, dial it back and start with one meal a week. Meatless Mondays are a thing, so let that be your cue and commit to kicking off each week with a plant-based meal and grow it from there.
Call up the supporting cast.
Often, meat is the star of the show when it comes to how we plan and plate meals. Rather than abruptly eliminating meat, gradually minimize the meat portion and bulk up the plant-based sides. Get family members used to seeing more fruits, vegetables and grains on their plates.
Look for easy tweaks/swaps.
There are probably several things in your rotation that you can convert to plant-based with a few easy tweaks or swaps. For example, eliminate the meat from the pasta sauce. Swap out regular milk for plant-based milk and use that with your cereal, smoothie, or coffee. Try substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth in soups and stews.
Start changing the ratio of meat to plants in recipes. For example, try adding black beans and rice to your tacos.
Abandon expectations and embrace new experiences.
Remember that when you’re eating different foods, you’re eating different foods. Don’t try to convince yourself that a black bean and millet burger recipe is just like eating a meat burger.
Even almond milk on your cereal will be a different experience than your usual milk. The less you expect the plant-based version to be just like your favorite food, the more likely you’ll be to discover new favorites. There are entire books and documentaries on the subject of plant-based eating. And we all know how too much information can be overwhelming. Let’s start with these few ideas and see what happens in the spirit of starting small. Growing your plant-based intake by any measure is always going to be a win over changing nothing at all.
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