This Is How to Follow a Plant-Based Diet, Explained in 2 Minutes

The phrase “plant-based diet” has reached buzzword status, and like all buzzwords, it’s prone to misuse, exaggerations, and misinterpretations. Let’s get to the truth about what the plant-based diet actually is, before it loses its meaning entirely.

A plant-based diet means that you get the bulk of your daily calories from plant-based foods, as opposed to animal-based foods. In particular, plant-based eaters seek out minimally processed forms of plants. If you want to eat a plant-based diet, here are the foods you might incorporate:

• A wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including “starchy” ones like potatoes and peas

• Lots of whole grains, which provide bulk and heartiness to the meal

• Beans and legumes, which provide lean protein and fiber

• Nuts and seeds, which help add adequate calories and healthy fat to the otherwise lean diet

• Minimally processed foods like whole-wheat bread, tofu, soy milk, and hummus

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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