{"id":19058,"date":"2023-07-12T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/?p=19058"},"modified":"2024-10-10T10:10:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T15:10:06","slug":"what-exactly-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-is-it-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/what-exactly-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-is-it-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Plant-Based Diet? An Essential Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

The term \u201cplant-based\u201d has become a major buzzword in the food industry in recent years\u2013whereas in the past, the idea of a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet may have seemed inaccessible to many. However, thanks to plant-based meat substitutes, countless consumers now feel more confident in eliminating meat or reducing animal products in favor of plant-based diets. In fact, Datassential\u2019s 2023 Food Trends<\/a> report indicates that 40% of consumers plan to purchase plant-based meat products this year.<\/p>\n

But what is plant-based and does it require going 100% vegan or vegetarian? Is this type of diet right for you? Here\u2019s our essential plant-based guide, which includes tips for getting started on your plant-based diet journey.<\/p>\n

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?<\/h2>\n

The good news about plant-based eating is that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach. Based on your individual needs and preferences, you can incorporate variations of a plant-based diet into your lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Veganism and Vegetarianism<\/h3>\n

Those who eat plant-based diets might choose to be strictly vegan\u2014meaning that they consume no animal products whatsoever\u2014including meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or even honey. Often, people who identify as vegans also make efforts to eliminate other animal products in their lives, like abstaining from wearing leather and using items that include animal byproducts or have been tested on animals.<\/p>\n

A vegetarian diet can also be considered plant-based, as it incorporates fruits and veggies as primary staples. But whereas vegetarians eliminate meat from their diets, they might include some animal byproducts, like eggs, dairy products, or honey.<\/p>\n

Plant-Heavy Diets<\/h3>\n

The \u201cplant-based\u201d label can also refer to diets that reduce animal products without eliminating them altogether. For example, the whole foods diet (also known as Whole-Foods, Plant-Based, or WFPB) and its variations include many of the elements of a vegan or vegetarian diet, with a focus on \u201cclean\u201d or minimally processed foods.<\/p>\n

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Essential Plant-Based Diet Food Groups<\/h3>\n