There are many health benefits associated with eating a plant-rich diet, however when making changes to your diet, it is important to know which foods are suitable alternatives of important nutrients.
Whether following a vegetarian or vegan diet or simply reducing the amount of animal products you eat, plant-based eating is becoming an increasingly popular way of eating for environmental, ethical and health reasons.
Eating more plants is associated with many health benefits, from promoting gut health to reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and colon cancer. However, when making changes to your diet and removing certain food groups, it is important to replace nutrients from these foods with suitable alternatives.
The main nutrients to be aware of on a plant based diet are protein, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. While there are vegetarian and vegan foods which provide these nutrients, not all food sources are equal. Nutrient bioavailability, how well nutrients are absorbed and utilised in the body, and optimal nutrient pairing are important factors to understand and implement for a well balanced diet. Individual food preferences are also important to consider when achieving a sustainable dietary pattern.
A dietitian can make sure your plant based diet ticks all these boxes so you can eat in a way that makes you feel your best, on your terms.
