Quick Take
So you've decided to try a whole food plant-based diet. Your fridge is full. Your pantry is stocked. Your Pinterest is overflowing with delicious oil-free vegan recipes. This is all great and will no doubt make a WFPB diet a heckuva lot easier. That said, there are a few more things you may want to consider as you emarbk on your healthier new life...and they've got nothing to do with what's on your plate.
3 Things You Can Do to Make your WFPB Diet a Success (That Have Nothing to Do With Food)
1. Understand How Change Happens
Change often feels like two steps forward and one step back – we call it the Cha-Cha here at MamaSezz.
But when the going gets tough (and not to be a Debbie Downer, but it will - at first - because change is hard!), it helps to remember that all big changes are actually a collection of small changes.
Remember that real change takes time, and there is an emotional roller coaster everyone rides when making significant changes.
You will most likely go back to familiar habits at some point in your journey. Don’t sweat it. Yes, you gave in and had some of those cookies your neighbor brought over or you indulged in that slice of pizza that smelled so dang good. Just notice the belly-ache and hit the reset button.
2. Stop Obsessing About Compliance
OK, I have a secret to tell you: I hate the word "compliance." I really, really do. I think it is stiff and restrictive and a bit clinical-sounding — and to be honest it makes me want to do the exact opposite of "comply." So I say forget compliance. If you go into your WFPB thinking you'll only succeed if you're eating 100 percent whole food plant-based all the dang time — and I say this with love in my heart — you won't succeed.
You won't. I'm sorry, but it's true. 100 percent compliance puts too pressure on you. It's too controlling and it's not realistic. You can't control everything. Even if you don't have "bad days" where you accidentally eat a whole box of donuts (just me?!), mistakes happen. And you know what? Who cares? Not me! And you shouldn't either because it doesn't matter. It won't derail you from your goals, unless you let it. So stop focusing on perfection and instead celebrate all the wonderful new plant-based foods you are adding to your plate.
3. Find Your People
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to find a plant-based community where you can ask questions, swap stories and recipes, and get the encouragement you need. While meeting in person may be difficult right now, there are so many online support groups, especially on Facebook (like our MamaSezz Heart Beet Club for plant-based beginners), and they’re filled with people who understand exactly what you’re going through as you move to a whole food plant-based lifestyle.
BONUS: Make it Easy on Yourself and Let MamaSezz Cook
OK, this one does have to do with food...it's about minimizing the stress that comes with eating healthy. With MamaSezz, there is no need to fret over "what's for dinner." Simply get plant-based meals delivered to your door, fully prepared. You heat, eat, and get on with your fabulous WFPB life. Goodbye stress, hello thriving on plants. Try MamaSezz now.
Key Takeaways
- Succeeding with your whole food plant-based lifestyle comes down to more than just food (though that's a great start!)
- Understand how change happens (i.e. it doesn't usually happen overnight and there might be set backs!), don't stress over being 100 percent compliant, find a support network (there are tons of Facebook groups out there).
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By Ali Brown
Ali is a mom, wife, and nutrition and lifestyle writer and editor. She has her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.