"All For One" Isn’t "One For All" When It Comes To Nutrition.
The Plant-Based Debate
The conversation around plant-based diets has never been louder. I’ll admit that coming from someone who isn’t plant-based, the benefits of a plant-centric diet, especially concerning longevity, visceral fat and the environmental impacts, are increasingly becoming hard to ignore. I recently had the privilege of collaborating on a new project with some of the smartest people in the field, and witnessed firsthand the positive impacts of eating plant-based. Stay tuned for more on that later…
With all that said, a plant-based lifestyle isn’t for everyone (including me)…at least not yet.
The Challenges:
Taste and adaptation: Making plant-based meals appetizing can be an uphill task. We need more skilled chefs in the industry/space to help make plant-based food more enjoyable, so we don’t have to sacrifice taste and the joy that comes with eating. Coming from an Italian family where food is practically its own religion, this is a big one for me.
Requires maximum effort: Crafting a plant-based diet that includes all of the proper nutritional benefits and trying to make it taste good, requires effort. Lots of effort. Unfortunately, many might find it hard to constantly seek out fresh ingredients and prepare them in creative ways. It’s not sustainable for everyone’s lifestyle.
It’s expensive: Let's face it - organic and plant-based sections at premium stores like Whole Foods can be very pricey. And yes, while some plant-based alternatives are wholesome like legumes, others are heavily processed and lack the proper nutritional value.
Protein intake: As we age, our protein requirements shift. Older adults need more protein-rich foods to increase bone health and other functions. Relying solely on plants and nuts might not cut it for everyone, especially those with heightened protein needs.
Given these challenges, what's the optimal approach for your own health and well-being?
Individualized Nutrition:
Every individual is unique. Everyone’s lifestyle is different. While some may swear by a plant-based diet, others might find it more beneficial to incorporate a flexitarian-style diet or whole foods focused diet. The key? Finding a diet that is flexible and personalizable to your lifestyle that you can commit to. Diets need wiggle room and must resonate with your day-to-day life, preferences, and health needs. Or it’s bound to fail in a big way.
I’m a big believer in eating as many “whole foods” as possible. I rarely eat out and cook almost all of my meals at home. Why? I want to know what I am putting in my body. Not to mention all of the health benefits including being rich in nutrients, better for digestive and brain health and can be cost efficient for a single parent like myself. Bottom line, while plant-based diets hold undeniable benefits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The journey towards better health is deeply personal and must be sustainable for you and your lifestyle.
What's your take? Do you lean more towards a whole food-based approach or believe in the mantra of individualized nutrition? Share your thoughts below.
What I’m Digging: The Rich Roll Podcast
Disclaimer: The Rich Roll Podcast episodes tend to be on the longer side, clocking in at around 2.5 hours. I typically listen to the episodes in small chunks during my commutes or while walking my dog, Apollo (when I’m not laid up from my recent knee surgery). One of Rich Roll’s recent episodes that I really enjoyed featured nutrition scientist from Stanford University, Dr. Christopher Gardner.
I might as well throw in a second disclaimer, if you're unfamiliar with Rich Roll, he's a very big advocate for plant-based diets. Similarly, Dr. Gardner studies the impacts of plant-based eating. As mentioned above, even though I’m not giving up meat anytime soon, I still found so much value in this conversation. One takeaway, which seems intuitive, but is often overlooked: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” Watch the clip, here.
And another takeaway, these are the four major issues of US diets. Watch, here.
If you haven’t listened to Rich’s podcast, there’s so many fascinating conversations that make you go hmmm…and think differently. To highlight a few more of my favorite episodes:
Tim Ferriss: Changing His Mind
Tommy Rivs: Surviving Cancer and the gift of pain
Do you have a favorite podcast? Share below!