If you are keeping up with our blog, you know that we have adopted a whole foods plant based (wfpb) lifestyle a couple months ago. You can read our individual stories here and here.
Here is what I expected to happen:
- Feeling deprived
- Craving meat
- Not having enough variety
- Not being able to enjoy food at restaurants
- Starving
- Having crappy workouts
- Losing my “gainz” if not having the perfect pre- or post-workout meal
- Not getting enough protein
And, if you read my last post about going wfpb, then you know that none of that even happened. BUT, I have an unexpected benefit that I am just dying to scream about.
Plant Based Surprises!
First, I have to say that I’m already pretty vocal about my disdain for the vilifying of carbs in the internet fitness world. I do eat a ton of carbs, in the form of sweet potatoes, protein shakes and other sources. But, I have been caught up in worrying about carb and sugar intake and have limited certain foods like rice, fruit and beans, more for their caloric value than carb value. I would say that my behavior around them was more like making sure I measured my portions when I ate them, and/or made sure I always ate them with a protein to help slow the absorption of them (I guess?).
So, as I went into this wfpb lifestyle, I still had some hesitancy around those foods. Even though they are foods in their purest form AND beans are one of the best things for you to eat, I was still being cautious.
1. Plant Based Freedom
Now that we are a few weeks in, I’ve been able to relax around food – ALL FOOD. If it is a whole food – veggie/fruit/root/bean/leaf/berry/legume/etc – I EAT IT. NO JUDGEMENT.
I can’t tell you how free this makes me feel! I’m not concerned about sugar, because whatever sugar I am eating is from fruit. Not concerned with carbs, because they are coming from fruits and veggies. OMG, this was just so enlightening for me. To be able to eat food without judging it, or worrying if it is the right thing to eat right now. As an athlete, I think I took this wayyyyy too seriously, thinking I was going pro at any second. But, alas, that is not in my future, so I probably don’t need to time my carbs to only before or after meals, and I probably don’t need to not have fats with my carbs, and I probably don’t need the perfect mix of carbs and protein after a workout.
But now, I just have a strong belief that wfpb is the way for me, that I am eating the best foods on the planet, that I am making my insides healthier and that I have a ton of energy. Win after win after win!
2. Plant Based Savings!
Another bonus is that I don’t have to “add chicken” to everything. I was OBSESSED with getting enough protein before I started this lifestyle. I literally thought my muscles would just whittle away if I didn’t eat enough protein. And I am probably getting less than 50% of what I used to eat and I have not seen any negative impacts. Not to mention, I’m saving a few bucks every time we go out to eat because I don’t have to add chicken to every salad I order LOL. #winning
3. Plant Based Enjoyment, Pure and Simple
Lastly – Avocado!! I would always limit my intake due to calories. I would maybe eat ¼ of an avocado at a sitting (and then just eat something else to fill that hole LOL… sigh). And now, I’m adding ½ of one on a slice of avocado toast LOL! This is huge 🙂 especially if you love avocados.
I love that I have had these unexpected benefits from what I thought would leave me feeling totally deprived and starving. I am neither of those things, and even though some would consider this lifestyle “restrictive,” I’ve found myself eating a wider variety of foods, I’m not bored with the foods that we cook at home every night. I’m not afraid to eat foods that have a bad rap in the media. I’m not lacking any nutrients, and I can tell because I don’t have any cravings at all.
I actually just realized that before wfpb, I was actually probably restricting more foods– like bananas, beans, rice, quinoa, lentils – all whole foods 🙁 that I should have been eating all along! Craziness.
Plant Based Summary 🙂
This goes back to my feelings about the basics – the basics will always work – in the gym (squat/bench/deadlift), on your plate (eat foods in their purest form), in your life (be kind to others). Nothing fancy. In fact, the fancier we get, the further we get from what actually works, even though we believe otherwise. #truth
33 Comments
That is the great thing about going plant based, you really can stop stressing over what you are eating, and eat as much as you want.
Kind of 🙂 Calories still matter, but it sure is nice not to worry that much about it!
Great points! It is so difficult to eat with so many conflicting and negative messages about food. Great to hear your feelings about being free to eat!!
YES! So much info out there. Just went back to basics!
You have me super intrigued… we eat very healthy and our son is on a very strict diet that revolves around being dairy free and separating cane/refined sugars and fruit sugars by 4hrs… so there are tons of things he can’t have because they contain derivatives of both! Before this diet I never even read a label or ingredients or counted calories… now I’m reading everything and we grow most of what we eat during the summer months. I’ll have to look more into your lifestyle! Thanks for sharing!
That is awesome that you grow your own stuff! Reading labels is key… but the food I eat doesn’t have labels!
Love it!! I’ve especially been enjoying those plant-based savings as well. So many benefits! 😀
Awesome! It really is cheaper!
I have been trying to be plant based and when I can stay focused on it, I feel so much better!
So do we!! Tons of energy!
I’ve been trying to eat a lot more plant based meals. I know when I eat healthy I feel great. What a great post.!!
Nutrition is so important, plant based helps!
Fitness and good food go together. I am with you on the fruits and vegetables!
Yes, I’m loving eating more fruit!
Oh i love this so much! I have been eating this way for a few weeks now. Well, I haven’t given up meat 100% yet, but I hope to soon! I only ate it twice this week at dinner.
Great job!
Awesome! I hope you are feeling great!
I agree that instead of eating less going veggie or vegan encourages you to eat a wider range of foods. I just ate my breakfast and there was 3 fruits and veg, a cheese, green powder, peanut butter, cocoa nibs and bee pollen – better than a bacon sarnie anyday and it took less time to prep!
Check out my blog http://www.thehappyfoodkitchen.com if you need any inspo!
Yes!! Thanks for sharing your blog!!
This is great! I have considered going vegan for awhile. Unfortunately my eating habits over the last 2 years took a sky dive for the worst with total stress eating so right now my focus is to first get back on track. I started the 80 day beach body challenge and I love how it has be eating better, but I feel like I am eating too much protein. I just can’t keep up! So hearing about not needing that protein is so good!
I used to obsess about protein, but I’ve let it go. Probably too early to tell if it has made a difference, but I feel great!
This is great! I have recently been trying to slowly get to a more plant-based diet for majority of the day. It is crazy how much a difference it has already made…more energy, better skin, and feel better overall!
OMG I can’t believe the difference in my skin!
I love the freedom it’s given you to eat and enjoy, knowing these are the right foods. No counting or measuring! Yay.
Yes, it is the best feeling! Such a relief!
LOVE this! I love to see when people experience the real benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. 🙂
It has been such a great experiment/experience! I’m glad we are sticking with it.
I have looked into going plant based but it scares me because I am so unoriginal in my meals that I don’t know what I would make.
Well, we are the same. We eat the same thing all the time. We just stopped adding meat to everything 🙂
I’m glad you found a lifestyle that’s working so well for you!
hmmmm… my husband often talks about going plant based. I’m such a carnivore I just don’t know if I’ll ever make the switch. I haven’t heard a good enough argument in favor. Or I just don’t want to hear a good enough argument. Haha
We absolutely felt the same way!! BUT, it has been easy. Maybe you can start by just incorporating MORE veggies into your diet?
Great information! Thank you for sharing. I love eating healthy it gives me a lot more energy! 🙂
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