" We're here to facilitate your plant-based journey "

PlantPlate.com is here to provide the recipes, information, and practical advice needed to follow a healthy plant-based diet. Whether you're interested in improving your health, losing weight, or eating more sustainably, a whole foods plant-based diet may be the perfect solution for you.

My name's Emma, and I started PlantPlate in 2013 with the help of my husband Scott, a web developer and fellow plantivore. I’m a certified Plant-Based Nutritionist who loves to cook, and I've followed a plant-based diet for over a decade. Having lived in various locations throughout the world - sometimes on a shoestring budget, and often with irregular and demanding work schedules - I’ve had to constantly adapt my diet in order to make it work. It’s taught me a lot, and it’s motivated me to show others just how accessible and enjoyable this way of eating can be.

The recipes featured on PlantPlate are based on minimally processed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They're free from all animal products, processed oils and refined carbohydrates, and are made with simple and affordable ingredients. Our articles are aimed at providing you with plant-based know-how when it comes to shopping, cooking, nutrition and day-to-day living. We have answers to common questions and share practical knowledge that we have acquired through experience. Finally, the resources section contains links to books, DVDs, and video presentations from some of the world's leading experts on plant-based nutrition. It is our hope that these resources will help you to fully understand and evaluate the health benefits of this wonderful way of eating.

Welcome to PlantPlate!  We hope you enjoy your visit. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at contact@plantplate.com.

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat health problems or illnesses without first consulting your doctor.

Healthy Plant-Based Eating: An Introduction

Guide By PlantPlate
A brief introduction to what PlantPlate is all about: understanding, eating and enjoying a healthy plant-based diet...

Here at PlantPlate, we advocate a healthy plant-based lifestyle. Our main focus is on food and nutrition, or more specifically, eating a whole foods plant-based diet. For those who are wondering, a whole foods plant-based diet excludes all animal products, as well as oils, refined starches, and foods that are high in added sugar and salt. 

 

Isn't this just a vegan diet?

Yes, it is technically a vegan diet, but there's a difference between being vegan and eating a plant-based diet for health. The decision to be vegan stems from an individual's compassion towards the lives of animals and the environment, and excludes all animal products in order to minimise harm and suffering. Vegans eat a 100% plant-based diet, but not necessarily one that is based on whole, unprocessed foods. This is where the distinction lies. The fundamental principle of a healthy (or "whole foods") plant-based diet is to promote health, and to reduce one's risk of lifestyle-related disease. In addition to excluding animal products, it also excludes processed vegan items such as vegetable oils, refined carbohydrates, and foods high in refined sugar and salt.

 

Why should I follow a healthy plant-based diet?

A diet based on whole plant foods has been shown to reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, including type-2 Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and even certain types of cancer. New research also indicates that plant-based diets could be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and a whole host of other degenerative diseases. What's more, eating minimally processed plant-foods greatly benefits our planet and the environment; not to mention the non-human species that inhabit it.

If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet, we recommend you see the feature-length documentary Forks Over Knives. It summarises the scientific information in a way that is both easy to understand and enjoyable to watch. You can also view informative presentations from some of the world's leading plant-based nutrition experts in our video presentations section, or take a look at this summary article.

If you would like to learn more about the environmental impact of your food choices, we recommend reading this book.

 

What if I want to eat more plant-based meals, but not 100% of the time?

No problem! Plant-based eating is not an all-or-nothing endeavour. You can start out with one or two meals a day if you like, and progress from there when you're ready. Every step you take towards a healthier lifestyle is a step in the right direction!

Of course, if you want to fully experience the health benefits of a plant-based diet, it's best to go all the way! If you're looking for some guidance as you make the transition, then head over to our articles section. There, you'll find how-to guides for shopping, cooking, meal planning, and plenty more.

 

Ready to start cooking? Dive straight in to our recipe section.

 

 

Article photo © 2013 by Holly-Granville-Edge for PlantPlate.com