Vegan and Plant Based Are Apples to Oranges (sometimes)

Someone who is not familiar with what it means to be vegan may assume all vegans eat super healthy. This is not always the case. There is plenty of evidence that you can be vegan and still eat foods that are processed, filled with sugar, salt and oil.

On the other hand, whole food, plant-based eaters who subscribe to the no S.O.S. protocol tend to eat very healthy. (S.O.S. Salt, Oil, Sugar)

From my own experience, a whole food, plant-based protocol is incredibly healthy. I’ve been subscribing to this way of eating for nearly five months. The results have been nothing short of miraculous.

Distinction Between Vegan and Plant Based

Being a vegan does not mean you are plant based. However, being whole food, plant-based does mean you don’t eat meat, dairy, poultry or fish which likely means you are vegan.

Some types of vegans and those who are 100% plant based can be worlds apart.

Definitions Vary

A Google search turns up many variations of what it means to be vegan.

According to the definition on the main page of The Vegan Society, veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.

Although incredibly ethical, in reality, there are some vegans who are not eating the healthiest of diets.

Whole food, plant-based means no, or very minimal, processed foods. For example, potato chips can be considered vegan, but they are not whole food.

To be clear, this post is not about slamming vegans, but rather to show that not all vegans are created equal.

Although plenty of vegans eat super healthy by consuming a whole food, plant-based diet, other vegans eat plenty of processed foods that border on junk food.

The Junk Food Vegan states “You can be vegan and still have a very poor diet. Ideally, your diet should consist of mostly whole plant-based foods which include vegetables, legumes & beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, superfoods, healthy fats, grains and fermented foods.

“A junk food vegan is a vegan who regularly consumes highly processed foods which are essentially made in science labs. Some popular choices are the famous Oreo biscuits as well as a variety of vegan cheeses.” Full post https://theminimalistvegan.com/junk-food-vegan/

Be Aware of Your Triggers and the Bliss Point

As someone who has a propensity to foods that are not the healthiest, like sugar laden junk foods, oil based and high in salt, when I decided to go plant based, I made a decision to go the No SOS diet.

SOS-free diet simply means that no salt, oil or sugar has been added during food preparation, cooking or afterwards.

I tend to be a very black and white eater. There are some foods that trigger me to obsess over food. I used to think I was weak or had no will power. Truth be told, we have been conditioned to these triggers by way of the Bliss Point.

“The food industry has processed lots of foods to hit that “bliss point” — that perfect amount of sweetness that would send eaters over the moon. In doing so, it’s added sweetness in plenty of unexpected places – like bread and pasta sauce,” says investigative reporter Michael Moss.

It’s no secret that what we eat either improves, or decreases, our health. One is left wondering how much the Bliss Point has contributed to overeating resulting in excess pounds and obesity. Track the results of obesity and you find a rise in cancers, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and inflammation.

Denial Runs Deep

For anyone to deny this fact is due to one of two things. One, they really don’t know. Two, they know there is a correlation, but choose to ignore the facts in order to not make needed changes.

I liken the current health crisis of many people to that of someone drowning. We can pretend there is no problem and watch the person drown, or we can do everything in our power to pull the person to safety. I choose to do what I can to raise awareness in hopes that, in my own small way, I can influence the decisions others are making to assure they live as healthy a life as possible.

It Took A Long Time For Me to Get Through the Denial

I’ve not always been one to subscribe to the healthiest lifestyle. Years ago, I drank to excess which contributed to other unhealthy behaviors like overeating. Many times, I went on crash diets to lose unhealthy weight. Diets that likely were damaging in more ways than one.

Like many people, I wanted a short term, quick fix for a long-term problem. It wasn’t until I stepped back and really evaluated what was going into my body that I realized a more humane way of eating. Humane to me, the animals and the environment.

My journey into a whole food, plant-based eating protocol started for one reason and has evolved into something very different.
I was first introduced to this concept while researching ways to minimize joint inflammation. I came across the works of Dr. Joel Fuhrman – Eat to Live.

According to experts like Dr. Fuhrman, not only is an animal-based diet, as well as added salt, oil and sugar are at the root of many of our health issues including weight gain, obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, it prevents us from living fully.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that what we consume has a direct impact on our health.

Within a couple of days of going plant-based, the inflammation was completely gone. In addition, my energy was increasing as was my emotional well-being.

Researching more about this way of life, I realized eliminating the very things I had been led to believe I need in my diet (meat, eggs, poultry, dairy, fish, certain types of oils) was the healthiest thing I could do.

Additionally, I found a plant-based diet to be in complete alignment with my compassion for animals.

Do Your Own Research

Don’t take my word for it. Do your own research. There are countless books, documentaries, YouTube videos and blogs that address this topic. A few of my favorites are listed at http://plantbasedeatingforhealth.com/stuff-you-gotta-get/