Whole Food Plant-Based
What does WFPB include?
A Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) dietary lifestyle includes a wide variety of "whole" (minimally processed) plant-foods (i.e. foods as close to their natural state after growing from the ground, without extensive processing in a factory). Plant foods include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These plant foods are the healthiest foods on the planet! They're full of fiber and other nutrients while most are also low in calories. So, there's no restrictive calorie counting needed. You can truly "eat the rainbow"!
What does WFPB exclude?
A WFPB dietary lifestyle is really more about what it includes than what it excludes. However, it usually eliminates (or greatly minimizes) animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, cream), & eggs. It also excludes (or greatly minimizes) highly processed plant-foods (oils, margarine, refined sugars, refined grains, sodas, energy drinks, etc.).
Does a WFPB lifestyle provide enough nutrients?
"Appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and athletes" Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Where can I find more information?
The Center for Nutrition Studies has an excellent guide that provides additional information on the WFPB lifestyle.
To learn more about the vast benefits of a WFPB lifestyle for preventing (and even reversing) chronic disease, I highly recommend the book "How Not to Die" by Dr. Michael Greger. I also recommend the documentary "Forks Over Knives."
For even more info, don't miss the Green Circle Kitchen WFPB Diet and Lifestyle Medicine Resource page!