Plant based diets have become one of the most popular ways for people to take back control of their health by embracing natural foods that are loaded with nutrients and all of the wonderful things our bodies need. Research tells us that plant-based diets aren’t just a fad, but a way for us to improve our health, boost overall vitality, and increase longevity, along with the quality of life as we age.
Everyone seems to have an idea about plant-based eating, but you might be surprised at what it is and how it can improve your health. For many, adopting a plant-based lifestyle can be a complete game-changer.
Let’s dive into plant-based diets and how sea buckthorn, rich in rare omega-7, is an important part of it.
What Does It Mean to Eat Plant-Based?
Isn’t a plant based diet just a trendy way of describing vegan or vegetarian diets?
Actually, no. While these lifestyles have a focus on non-animal based foods, they are quite different.
Vegan and vegetarian diets include plant-based foods. However, modern versions of these diets also frequently include many processed foods. Oreos are vegan, as are many processed foods on the shelves of your local grocery store.
While vegan and vegetarian diets can definitely be healthy, plant-based eating focuses on quality and nutritional density, prioritizing plant-based foods over all other options.
Plant-based diets can also be adapted to personal preferences, without feeling bound to a certain list of rules. For example, someone following a plant based diet may avoid all animal foods, or they may include many of them, just as more of an accompaniment than a main course.
For example, a large salad, loaded with all sorts of veggies, fruits, and even beans or grains, could be garnished with an ounce or two of chicken and still be considered part of a plant-based diet.
For meat, cheese, and dairy lovers, knowing that they don’t have to completely eliminate their favorite foods can help them adopt a plant-based lifestyle and improve their health. The goal is to prioritize foods from plants and to maximize nutritional quality.
More Than a Trend: Plant Based Diet Benefits That Matter
It’s easy to see why so many people think that plant-based diets are just another passing trend. Influencers have made careers out of sharing their plant-based lifestyles, and marketing departments have caught on, slapping a “plant-based” label on products that actually aren’t.
But if we can get past the trendy glitz and glamour, we can see that plant-based diets are backed by science and that this is a long-term dietary lifestyle, rather than a passing trend that people are jumping on for a few months.
Chronic disease is the biggest healthcare challenge we’re facing as a society. Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and chronic inflammation are eroding lifespan and quality of life. However, embracing dietary changes, favoring nutrient-rich, whole foods can change this trajectory.
This is where the plant-based challenge shines.
Plant-based diets are effective at reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are major contributors to chronic disease. By focusing on plant-based foods, with vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients, including essential fatty acids, we’re able to support our bodies in the best way possible.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most important health benefits of plant-based eating.
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Improved cardiovascular health
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Lower risk of obesity
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Reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress
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Reduced risk of high blood pressure
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Lower risk of diabetes
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Improved digestive health
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Improved mental health
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Greater mental focus and clarity
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Improved sleep health
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Reduced risk of certain cancers
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An abundance of nutrients
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Environmentally-friendly and sustainable
Protein Goals on a Plant Based Diet
Protein is absolutely essential for health. But, if there’s one misconception about plant based diets that just doesn’t seem to want to go away, it’s that so many think it’s impossible to consume adequate protein while eating mostly plant foods.
This is 100% false.
Plant-based diets actually offer a wide variety of protein-rich foods, from lentils and quinoa, to tofu and chickpeas. Plus, protein can be found in foods you might not expect – like broccoli.
It’s important to get protein from a variety of plant-based foods to ensure you’ve got a good, well-rounded amino acid profile that is more similar to what is found in animal protein. With some variety in your diet, it’s actually easy to meet protein needs through a plant based diet.
But, unlike animal protein, plant-based sources provide a wide range of essential nutrients, along with fiber, and healthy fats.
Caloric Density: More Food, Fewer Calories
One of our favorite advantages of living the plant based lifestyle is filling a plate up with colorful, nutritious foods and not having to worry about counting calories.
Maybe you’ve seen those side by side images of 300 calories of food on the typical diet, compared to 300 calories worth of plant-based foods. There is a stark difference in both the quantity and nutritional quality of the plates.
A large plate of leafy greens, nuts, and fresh berries is nutritionally dense and satisfying, but significantly less calorie dense than the same size plate of pasta. Enjoying larger, more satisfying portions without the extra calories is significant for weight management. Plus, the extra nutrition quality provides a nice boost of energy without the crash and burn.
Plant-Based Sea Buckthorn & Omega-7
Mother Nature has a way of providing us with exactly what we need, and so much of it comes directly from the world of plant-based foods. Sea buckthorn is a perfect example of this.
Sea buckthorn is nature’s most potent source of omega-7 fatty acid, which does amazing things for the body inside and out. Sea buckthorn is also rich in other omegas, including omega-3, 6, and 9, plus an amazing nutrient profile.
Sea buckthorn is an example of how living a plant-based lifestyle nourishes the body in ways that the standard American diet isn’t capable of.
For example, here are just a few of the key benefits of sea buckthorn with omega-7 fatty acids.
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Promotes cardiovascular health
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Lowers cholesterol
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Reduces inflammation
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Supports skin health, providing hydration and improving elasticity
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Supports healthy digestion and gut microbiome
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Provides healing on a cellular level
You’re not likely to find sea buckthorn berries at your local grocery store. However, you can get all that you need with our Sibu Omega-7 Plus and Sibu Omega-7 Pure.
Small Changes, Simple Shifts, and Embracing the Plant-Based Lifestyle
Embracing a plant-based diet doesn’t require an all-or-nothing approach. You can begin with small changes, focusing on adding more whole, plant-based foods to your diet. Spend some time in the produce department or enjoying an afternoon at a farmer’s market. Discover new fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant-based foods, along with delicious new ways to prepare them.
Plant-based diets offer amazing benefits for health and wellbeing, from beautiful skin to reducing inflammation, the world of plant foods are healing and nourishing to our bodies. Powerful plant-based supplements, like sea buckthorn with omega-7, boost the effects of eating whole, nutritious foods.
This is about adopting a lifestyle to support your health in the long-term, and treating your body in a way it deserves.