What Exactly Is Plant Based Eating?

In the time I’ve been a WFPB (whole food plant based) eater I’ve heard a cross-section of people give various definitions of what this is. Everything from absolutely no animal or dairy products to a little in moderation to eat as much as you want of animal products as long as you have plants in your diet.

Me… I’m completely animal and dairy free in my eating protocol.

I started on my plant based journey based on what I read in Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
https://amzn.to/2KjbKvz

Dr. Fuhrman touts the benefits of a Nutritarian Diet. The Nutritarian Diet claims impressive health benefits like weight loss, reversing disease, slowing aging, and increasing life expectancy.

In a nutshell, the diet is vegan, gluten-free, low in sodium, and low in fat. The diet also avoids or minimizes processed foods, and focuses on eating nutrient-dense foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

My protocol

Based on this, I decided to adhere as close to this as possible including the elimination of processed oils, added salts and processed sugars.

As a result, my health has improved, I’ve released a considerable amount of unhealthy weight, I have more energy, I workout and exercise more, I get the endorphin high from the exercise and my mood is pretty darned good the majority of the time.

I also like the works of Dr. Greger, Dr. Esselstyn and other experts who believe in complete elimination of animal and dairy products. This works for me, and I have no reason to change.

Some People are Just Plain Pissed Off

Recently, I posted in a Facebook group about my confusion over what others call a Plant Based Diet. Many people chimed in with what it meant to them. Never did I expect to be the target of one woman’s complete disdain and anger toward me.

She was angry that I was taking on an evangelical, almost religious, approach to my protocol and even more pissed off that I talked about running a half marathon for my 65th birthday.

I guess being excited about literally turning my health around is something I should keep quiet about. At least according to her comments I would be led to believe that. Second, you’re darned right I’m proud of my exercise level. And happy to shout it from the roof tops.

“What does running marathons have to do with our health?” she demanded to know.

“Really????” If you can run a marathon it likely means you are somewhat healthy.

The bottom line is this; you decide what’s right for you. For me, I suppose I could say I am a Whole Food, Plant Based, Vegan lifestylists. What others choose to do is their business.

All I know is this; as I approach 66 years of age, I’m very healthy, feel good, enjoy lots of exercise and activity and will continue to tout the benefits of a eating protocol void of animal and dairy products.