All plant-based foods aren’t the same
Plant foods are getting a lot of love these days. In some cases, maybe too much.
According to a recent International Food Information Council survey, 43 percent of people polled said that they would assume that any food labeled “plant-based” is healthier than a similar food that wasn’t made from plants, even if the nutrition labels were identical.
But are vegetarian mac and cheese and soy chorizo really as good for you as the plants they were made from?
Here’s a beginner’s guide on what to know about plant-based food trends, including how to start a whole-food, plant-based diet that’s good for your health; a food list; and a five-day sample menu to help you get started.
What is a whole food, plant-based diet?
The definition depends on who you ask, explains Linda Arpino, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist with offices in New York City and Connecticut.
On the most basic level, the diet is all about filling your plate with minimally processed fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. However, there are several different spins on the concept.
At one end of the spectrum, many vegans believe the diet should consist entirely of
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