When choosing what to eat, many people are turning to plant-based diets. A plant-based diet is generally high in fiber and rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals ( your body needs them, but cannot produce them on its own). They are also low in calories, saturated fat and cholesterol. In general, you can meet your protein, calcium and other nutritional needs if you eat different types of plant-based foods. Because of this, there are many studies that agree that a plant-based diet can improve your health and lower your risk of various diseases.

While there are clear benefits to eating more plants, there are also some potential drawbacks that should be considered. Here is a look at the pros and cons of eating a more plant-based diet:

-PRO: You’ll Likely Eat Fewer Calories

Plant-based is usually lower in calories than animal-based foods. That means if you switch to a plant-based diet, you may automatically start eating fewer calories without even trying. And eating fewer calories can lead to weight loss. Losing weight is good for your health to stay balanced and have an excellent figure. But you have to be very careful, because losing weight in excess is not good for your health.

-CON: You May Miss Out on Some Important Nutrients

Animal-based foods are a good source of certain nutrients that can be difficult to get from plant foods. These include vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Therefore, you may need to supplement by taking a vitamin to get these nutrients if you don’t eat animal products. You should always try smoothies, yogurt, seeds, nuts, quinoa, broccoli, corn, asparagus, artichokes, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc.

-PRO: You’ll Probably Eat Less Saturated Fat

Saturated fat is the kind of fat that can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease. Plant-based food is lower in saturated fat than diets that include animal products. Therefore, by switching to a plant-based diet, you will likely help improve your heart health in the process.

-CON: You May Need to Be More Careful About Getting Enough Protein

Animal products are a significant source of protein in many diets. If you don’t eat animal products, you may need to be more intentional about including sources of protein in your diet: a few ideas include beans, tofu, nuts, hummus, soy milk and seeds.

-PRO: You’ll Consume More Fiber

Most plant food is fiber rich. Fiber helps keep you regular and may also help reduce your risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions. Because plant-based diets include plenty of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, you’re likely to get more fiber when you switch to this type of eating pattern.

-CON: You May Need to Pay More Attention to Getting Certain Vitamins and Minerals

As mentioned, animal products are a good source of certain nutrients that can be difficult to get from plant foods. Therefore, if you transition to a plant-based diet, you may need to be more intentional about including foods rich in these nutrients or taking supplements.

-PRO: You May Reduce Your Risk for Some Chronic Diseases

Eating plant-based is linked with lower risks for heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. So, switching to this type of diet may help improve your overall health.

-CON: You May Miss Out on The Benefits of Some Food Groups

While there are plenty of healthy plant-based foods, there are also some unhealthy ones. And, if you overeat these unhealthy foods, you may miss out on the benefits of a more balanced diet. So, mindfulness regarding the types of plant-based foods you’re eating and ensuring you include various nutrient-rich options is necessary.

When you pick a diet, keep in mind that a plant-based diet has pros and cons. But ultimately, the best is the one that you stick with long-term. If you’re considering switching to a plant-based diet, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to ensure it’s the right choice. Don’t forget to visit our shop and follow us on facebook, Instagram, twitter, Pinterest.

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