Four Plant-Based Myths DeBunked by Thistle

Plant-based foods are full of proven health, wellness, and planet-saving benefits, but like any diet, the plant friendly life has its fair share of skeptics. Doubts aside, the most common myths about following a plant-based diet can be easily debunked. Whether you’re hesitant to try the plant-based life or simply curious, stay tuned — we’re breaking down the top four myths about plant-based meals.  

Myth #1: Vegan and plant-based are one and the same. 

While vegan and plant-based foods are closely related, these two plant-friendly diets maintain one key difference. Instead of simply eliminating animal products (dairy, meat, eggs, etc.) as you would on a vegan diet (vegans also don’t wear animal products or use products tested on animals), plant-based diets center on incorporating whole, nutritionally-dense and unprocessed foods from the get go (think tons of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, healthy plant oils, and plenty of herbs & spices). It’s possible to consume a diet of entirely processed foods and call it vegan, but plant-based meals naturally eliminate junk food, meat, refined sugars, and dairy. Where vegan and plant-based meals overlap is the sweet spot — delicious, real, from-the-earth foods. 

Myth #2: Plant-based meals lack protein.

In a protein-prevalent culture, this is a common misconception. Don’t be fooled, plant-forward meals are no stranger to protein. From quinoa (which packs 9 grams of protein per cup) to black beans (which pack 16 grams per cup), plant-based protein is varied, abundant, and delicious: Thistle meals include 20g+ of plant protein from sources like legumes, nuts, seeds, adashah, tempeh, tofu & whole, ancient grains. Unlike meat protein, plant-based power is free of harmful side effects like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and inflammation. Instead, plant protein is rich in essential minerals, fiber, and antioxidants giving you stable energy throughout the day. 

Myth #3: Plant-based meals lack substance and flavor. 

When it comes to eating plants, you might imagine barely-there meals or wispy salads. In reality, plant-forward foods come in many filling forms and are anything but boring: some of our favorite meals include savory Dan Dan Noodles, fresh Beet Poke Bowls, and comforting Sweet Potato Hash. A plant-based meal plan incorporates vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, beans, tempeh, seeds, and all the plant-based goodies in between to keep you and your taste buds satisfied. Seasonal, from-the-earth ingredients keep plant-based diet meal plans fresh, filling, and flavorful. When you focus on all of the naturally delicious foods you can consume (instead of what you can’t), your meal becomes more about celebrating ingredients, rather than restricting them. 

Myth #4: Plant-based meals are expensive and inconvenient.

Following a plant-based diet can be expensive and difficult to do in our busy world. But, just as you invest in self-care, SPF, and exercise, prioritizing a healthy plant-forward diet will help you prevent chronic health problems (and the high costs that go along with them) later in life. Your health is highly dependent on what you put into your body, a plant-based diet can help reduce your risk of cancer, high-blood pressure, and diabetes down the road. Investing in natural, nutrient-rich, plant-based foods is an investment in your well-being. Taking advantage of plant-based meal delivery services, like Thistle, make it easy to invest in your health and put clean eating on auto-pilot.