The Ultimate Step-by-Step Plan for Starting a Plant-Based Diet

Starting a plant-based lifestyle might be the single most important decision you make this year. It aligns with your health goals and the lifestyle of sustainability and empowerment that you envision for yourself too. Also, nourishing your body this way will boost energy and skin health! You will say goodbye to midday fatigue and a dull complexion and hello to outworking your competition with a lit-from-within-glow they can’t help but to notice. Ready to take advantage? Here’s a step-by-step guide for getting started:

1. Educate Yourself: Get to know the plant-based swaps for common foods you eat. At this point, just focus on understanding the sources of plant-based protein, essential nutrients, and how to maintain a balanced diet without animal products. You can get to know the rest later.
2. Set Clear Goals: To make this a goal that you ACTUALLY get done, define your motive for adopting a plant-based lifestyle. Are you doing it for health reasons, ethical concerns, environmental sustainability, or a combination of factors? Having a clear purpose will make this goal top priority on your never-ending to-do list.
3. Gradual Transition (aka baby steps): Don’t overhaul your lifestyle over night! Transitioning to a plant-based diet gradually can make the process smoother and long-lasting. Start by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your meals while slowly reducing your intake of animal products.

4. Experiment with Recipes: Explore plant-based recipes and cooking techniques to discover new flavors and textures. Get creative in the kitchen and try out different ingredients and meal ideas to keep your palate excited! Visit our YouTube channel often for tutorials on plant-based cooking, how to healthify your plate, and more.

5. Meal Planning and Preparation: While you’re learning about the world of plant-based living, it will be better to plan your meals than to eat on a whim. The latter will likely take you back to your old habits because it’s the path of least resistance. For this reason, pick a day to plan your weekly meals and snacks.

6. Find Support: As a driven person, you’ve likely realized by now that you need a team to support your goals. This one is no different. Aim to surround yourself with peeps who encourage your plant-based journey and understand how nourishing ourselves influences mental and physical potential. The PhytoRadiance community is here for you with open arms.

6. Stay Informed: We’re only beginning to understand the impact that plant-based living can have on our skin, body, mind, emotions, and so much more. Stay up-to-date with the latest research, trends, and resources related to plant-based nutrition so you can get in on all this goodness. Our founder, Dr. Orie, breaks down the science and updates on YouTube every week.

7. Mindful Eating: Plant-based eating will take you down a path of slowing down to appreciate food rather than mindlessly consuming it as we do with fast food and processed meals. To start mindful eating habits with this diet change, pay attention to how different foods make you feel physically and emotionally. Listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues and choose foods that nourish and energize you.

8. Be Forgiving: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you occasionally eat animal products or find it challenging to stick to a plant-based diet in certain situations. Remember that progress, not perfection, is key.

9. Celebrate Yourself: Acknowledge your achievements and milestones along the way. Whether it’s adding more greens to your plate, cooking a new plant-based recipe, or trying a new veggie, celebrate your progress often.