When your goal is to lose weight through a plant based lifestyle, you will start to learn tricks to eating smarter. This is because many plant based meals require preparation, use of spices, and a bit of research to know how to best prepare it.
But the good news is that once you learn these things once, you will know them forever. Things that might seem intimidating now, like using water to saute your vegetables and soaking nuts will soon become part of your normal routine.
Yes, in the beginning it may seem intimidating, but if you stick with it, you will find your groove. All of the things that seemed challenging will become natural for you.
So, what foods should you be targeting? Here is a short (and incomplete) list of foods that promote weight loss on the naturally healthy, whole foods plant based, eating program.
You Can Eat these Foods Freely …
Fruits
- Apples, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, citrus, figs, grapes, lemons and limes, mangoes and melons, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberries and strawberries
Vegetables
- Leafy greens like chard, beet greens, collard greens, arugula, parsley, dandelion greens, kale, and spinach
- Sprouts such as alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, soybean sprouts, sunflower sprouts and other bean sprouts
- Cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radishes, bok choy, watercress, cabbage, Swiss chard, cauliflower and napa (Chinese) cabbage
- Tubers such as sweet potatoes, yams and potatoes
- Mushrooms such as portobello, shiitake, button mushrooms, cremini and porcini
- Additional vegetables, including zucchini, acorn squash and other squashes, artichokes, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, beets, hot peppers, pumpkin, bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, parsnips, garlic, green beans, sugar snap peas and celery
Legumes
- Dried peas, chickpeas, garbanzos, green and red lentils, edamame, and a wide variety of beans, including black beans, fava beans, kidney beans, lima beans, navy beans and pinto beans
Whole grains
- This means whole grains, not ground into flour
- Wild rice, barley, amaranth, brown rice, bulgur wheat, corn, steel cut oats, quinoa and kasha
Herbs and spices, etc.
- All herbs, which deliver incredible health benefits. Some examples include basil, thyme, tarragon, bay leaf, cilantro, dill, parsley, rosemary and mint
- Spices like chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, cumin, fennel, garlic powder (not salt), ginger, mustard powder, onion powder, paprika, saffron and turmeric
- Salad dressings which are free of oil, and also low in, or free of, added sweeteners
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Pumpkin purée
- Soups made from whole foods
As you can see from the many foods listed above, there is no end to the healthy and nutritious recipes you can create. Eat the above foods freely, and don’t worry about counting calories or following particular food ratios. You WILL lose weight if you eat this way.
It doesn’t matter if you are overweight, obese, or just looking to lose a few pounds. By eating the foods just listed, instead of eating processed and refined foods, fast foods, meats, dairy products and oils, you are literally giving yourself a new lease on life.
