6 surprising things that happen when you eat plant-based whole-foods
So, what happens when you stop eating processed foods and incorporate into your diet plant-based whole-foods?
I’d always imagined my health would improve when I ate better foods, but life would remain pretty much the same as it always had been. I figured I’d still be the same person, doing the same things, living the same life … just minus the bad food.
I was so wrong.
Removing sugar-ridden, brain-altering, chemical-filled, mood-killing, DNA-changing, dis-ease-causing, fake food stuff from your life turns your world upside down … but, in a good way!
Choosing to eat the right healthy foods brings with it some surprising side effects. Here are 6 that I noticed:
1. You actually crave real food
There will come a time when you return home after a bad day and find yourself massively cheered up by a huge, organic, fresh salad that awaits you. You – the person who used to grab the chocolate chip cookies or Snickers® bar on the way to the burger joint for supper – are now happy with chopping beautiful organically-grown veggies to compile a giant fresh salad for supper.
Even though you sometimes think that it sounds a bit “earth mother like” to eat whole, plant-based foods and cook at home, you don’t really care because a) you’ve finally mastered the art of self-care and b) you feel amazing eating real food.
2. Your energy levels go through the roof
When you’re trying to function with low energy – the lack of energy that is often created from eating dead, fake food stuff, – just getting up and dressed feels like an achievement. But something happens when you stop eating processed food stuff. You acquire a new natural superpower: the ability to feel good and have more energy while getting lots more stuff done.
The energy slump that used to have you going straight for the Snickers® bar in the afternoon is no longer there; you begin to wonder – how on earth did I ever manage before?
3. Weight loss becomes easy
Whole-food, plant-based eating is naturally lower in calories, but that’s not even the thing. The thing is that when you eat real food, you naturally stop eating when you are full and satisfied. The signal that tells you you are full is back working again. It’s no longer disrupted by chemicals from fake food so you no longer desire to eat just to be eating.
When processed food stuff is removed from your diet, it’s simply a lot easier to lose weight.
Plus a bonus to eating better is that you feel better, and when you feel better, you’re more likely to want to move more. Perhaps even pick up a new outdoor activity like walking, hiking, bicycling or gardening.
4. Some friendships may change and that’s okay
There’s no avoiding this one: you will have friends who feel unsettled by your decision to change the foods you eat to improve your health. Maybe they think you’re overreacting, or they miss the weekly restaurant date with you. Or, maybe your new healthy eating is a reminder to them, and they are not ready for the change.
Don’t worry about this.
Some people will drift away, but your real friends will stick around, or move in closer – even if their diets don’t improve. Making healthy eating choices is a great filter for your life – it helps you get clear on who and what should be in your world.
5. You prioritize You
Sticking to a diet of whole, plant-based foods forces you to go against the grain, to stop following the crowd. That is tough to do in this American culture. If you’ve spent a lifetime trying to ‘fit in’, you might find that suddenly, you’re not so bothered about that anymore. You learn to prioritize you.
One of the top regrets spoken by senior citizens is, “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself”. Now’s your chance to make sure that happens.
6. You discover you’re capable of far more than you knew
When you change your diet and start traveling on a path of eating for better health, you achieve something you thought you couldn’t do. Something shifts within you. I’ve seen this time and time again with my clients.
Once you’ve overcome one big challenge (like lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes), it forces you to reassess a lot of other stuff you’d previously dismissed as ‘impossible’. Who knows what you’ll tackle next in your life – the possibilities are endless.
Let me know:
If you want to change your diet for better health, but are not sure where to start, let me know. I can help you and make it much easier. Together we will make changes that are right for you and your lifestyle. Ready to get started? Go here to schedule a free 30-minute call to learn more.
