Improving Your Health with a Plant-Based Nutrition Plan

The plant-based trend is bringing healthy alternatives to the grocery and restaurant aisles. Millions of Americans have adopted a diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They also include nuts, seeds, legumes and beans.

In the healthcare industry, more and more doctors are prescribing plant-based diets for patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, or cancers. This is because it has proven health benefits including reduced inflammation, increased energy, improved gut health and weight management.

Kate Farms' plant-based oral enteral formulas, for example, can help adult cancer patients gain or maintain weight. This allows them to get the treatment that they need to fight cancer.

Plant-based diets can improve health, but the first step is to overcome barriers that prevent you from adopting a plant based lifestyle. Others may think this is an expensive and time-consuming change in lifestyle. Transitioning to this diet plan may cause digestive problems for some people as their bodies adjust to the increased fiber and nutrients.

Finding the right lifestyle diet for you can be beneficial to your health and wellbeing.

Here are five ways to overcome these obstacles and incorporate plant-based food into your diet.

Transition one meal at a time

Slowly transitioning to a plant-based diet will allow your body to adapt and reap the rewards of whole foods. Start by adapting your diet one meal at a.

Even a partially vegan diet can reduce the risk of chronic disease. You can choose one meal per day that incorporates plant-based food and increase your intake of entire foods. This strategy allows you to transition into a plant based lifestyle without having to spend a lot of money or time on meal preparation. It also offers the health benefits that come with plant-based nutrition.

Eat the Rainbow

It is essential to ensure that each meal is colorful if you want to reap the benefits of a plant-based diet and improve your health. Greens, beans and nuts are staples in a plant-based diet. They contain nutrients and vitamins which reduce inflammation and improve gut function.

You can ensure that your plant-based diet plan is balanced and contains functional whole foods by eating foods of all the colors in the rainbow. It is a common misconception that whole foods are costly. To make a colorful diet plan more affordable, opt for frozen fruit and vegetables. Buy produce in season or prepare your meals once for a week. A colorful plate will help you create a healthy nutrition plan. It is anti-inflammatory and boosts the immune system, while also promoting skin, brain and heart health.

Be a Food Label Detective

Food labels are a great tool to help you eat healthy. Understanding food labels is crucial to avoiding artificially processed foods and identifying whole food alternatives that promote overall health. In the ESPEN study, all patients reported no digestive problems when using Kate Farms formula. It is made from plant-based ingredients, USDA organic and non-GMO, without any major allergens.

Processed food actually loses nutrients, and gains unhealthy sugars and fats. To choose healthier foods, remember that “-ose” is bad and look for ingredients like lactose or maltose. Label detective skills are essential for choosing high-quality plant-based food alternatives.

Identify Foods You Enjoy Eating

Eating a plant-based diet is more than just a diet. Finding plant-based foods that you like to eat makes it easier to make this transition. Many people believe that switching to plant-based food means they have to give up their favorite foods. However, this is not true.

It is important to incorporate your favorite snacks and meals into your daily life in order to increase the likelihood that you will adhere with a plant based nutrition plan. The fact that the adults in the study tolerated the plant-based formula and liked the shakes is one of the reasons they benefited from it. It can be challenging to commit to a dairy- and meat-free diet, but if you enjoy the plant-based food you eat you will likely stick to your plan.

Consult with a Healthcare Professional

Plant-based diets have proven to be beneficial for health. However, anyone interested in making the switch should consult their doctor or dietitian about a treatment plan that maximizes results. Health professionals can offer resources and counselling to improve nutrition literacy, and to prevent nutrient deficiencies or impaired digestion.

A professional will evaluate your medical history and your dietary habits in order to prescribe changes or plant-based nutrition for medical purposes to improve your health. These strategies have helped improve the quality of my clients' lives. A physician or dietitian will work with you to help you overcome any obstacles you may face and provide additional solutions for a healthier life based on plant-based nutrition.

Incorporating plant-based nutrition into an integrated approach to healthcare is a low risk intervention that can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and ALS. A plant-based diet plan may not cure chronic illnesses, but it can improve your overall health. Patients who are battling a chronic illness face many unknowns, but nutrition can be a part of their journey.

The post Improving Your Health with Plant-Based Diet Plan appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses holistic medicine

Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not only specific symptoms. It considers both the mental, and physical aspects.

Holistic medicine includes acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, nutritional counseling, yoga, and other complementary therapies.

People who use holistic medicine include those who have been diagnosed with cancer, heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, migraines, infertility, menopause, asthma, autism, and many others.

What is the difference between alternative medicine, complementary medicine and other medicine?

Alternative medicine refers specifically to any treatments that aren't recommended by mainstream medical professionals but have proven to be effective for certain conditions. Homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are all examples. Complementary Medicines are treatments that add to the treatment of conventional medicine. They may also be used in combination with it. These include dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and other natural substances.

While both forms of medicine are commonly used, many conventional doctors do not recommend them due to insufficient evidence or safety concerns.

There is no consensus among healthcare providers about the best approach to integrating CAM within patient care.

Many CAM methods are based on theories that have been developed over thousands of year. These therapies have had some clinical success over the past 20-years.

Many studies show that acupuncture may help relieve pain. It may also reduce nausea and vomiting that are associated with chemotherapy, according to preliminary data. Another study suggests that acupuncture can improve symptoms such as irritable intestinal syndrome, fibromyalgia chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Experts agree that CAM can help with many ailments, even though we still have a lot to learn about its effectiveness.

People are turning to CAM practitioners more often for relief from common diseases.

Despite this popularity, many people still have questions about “alternatives” and “complementary” medicine.

What does holistic mean to you?

Holistic is a holistic approach. Holistic means to see the whole picture and not just a part. This isn't always possible because we tend not to see things as a whole.

We tend to think in terms of black and white. However, grey comes in a wide range of shades.

So, when working on a project, try to see everything from different angles. Take a look at it from every angle.

Try to understand how it fits together as a whole. How do the various components interact?

Ask yourself why you are having trouble with a particular element. Also, consider the impact of any changes that you make.

Can a holistic doctor prescribe medication?

Holistic medicine is based around the assumption that all diseases are caused and exacerbated by a combination many factors. These include diet, lifestyles, stress levels, emotional state, genetics, environmental problems, stress, stress, and other health-related concerns.

This is a comprehensive approach to treating patients.

To understand how each factor affects a patient, a physician must understand modern science and traditional methods such as herbs and homeopathy.

Many doctors have been certified in complementary or alternative medicine (C&A). This allows them to offer a full range of services to their patients.

Why is holistic medicine more effective?

Holistic health care is about treating the whole person, not individual symptoms. This means looking at how someone feels, what they eat, where they live, how much stress they are under etc…

Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. It may sound simple, but in practice, this approach is very difficult to achieve because most doctors focus solely on the physical side of patients.

Statistics

The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)

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What are the 4 types of complementary or alternative medicine?

There are four major types of CAM: mind-body medicine (natural products), manipulative therapies (energy healing), and manipulative therapies (natural products). Mind-body medicine includes yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Reiki, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and herbalism. Natural products are herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies include physical manipulation such as osteopathic and chiropractic care, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, and bodywork. Praying and visualization are two of the methods used to heal energy.

CAM refers to a variety of health practices that are not in line with Western medical models. These practices differ in how much scientific evidence they have, whether they involve drugs, surgery, or which conditions they treat. Some CAM doctors also provide diagnostic testing (e.g. Blood tests) and can prescribe medication. Some practitioners do both.

In addition to these four primary categories, there are many subcategories within each category. In mind-body medicine there are relaxation techniques. Natural products are nutritional supplements, botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, probiotics, nutraceuticals, herbal preparations, medicinal plants, and teas. Manipulative therapies can include manual, movement and traction as well as electrotherapies, cupping and stretching. Soft tissue mobilization, trigger point therapy (or orthopedics), myofascial releases, trigger points therapy, neurostimulation, and trigger point therapy are some examples. There are also spiritual healing methods such as prayer, faith healing, and energy healing.

Many CAM remedies treat symptoms, but don't address the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. If used correctly, CAM may be a complement to conventional treatments.

There are many reasons people use CAM.

To improve their overall well being.
To manage a condition.
To decrease pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief system.

People turn to CAM for greater control of their health than conventional medicine. It may have fewer side effects. Some people choose CAM to not take prescription drugs. Some prefer not taking prescription medications if at all possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they've had bad experiences in conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM want to know what they are doing before they try something new. Many people who use CAM ask questions about its safety and effectiveness. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.

Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM tend to be healthier and happier than those who don't. This is true regardless age, gender and race.

The majority of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. Nearly 95% of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine at least once in their lifetime. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – NCCIH, approximately 40,000,000 visits were made to CAM providers alone in 2010.

The NCCIH estimates that 10 percent of the U.S. population uses chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and/or osteopaths.3 By comparison, only 2 percent of the population uses medical doctors.

2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. It recognized that doctors must “integrate scientifically valid alternative and complementary medicine into clinical practices…to meet patients' needs.”

The Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report in 2007 entitled “Relaxing Contraints: Improving access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” It concluded that there is no credible evidence that any particular CAM intervention is effective in treating or preventing cancer.

CAM is still gaining popularity despite this conclusion. In 2008, the number of CAM practitioners increased by 8 percent compared to 2007.

A recent study revealed that almost half of respondents use CAM as partof their primary healthcare regime.

CAM therapies include natural products as well mind-body practices, manipulative technologies, energy healing methods, exercise, diet supplements and other approaches.

Many CAM treatments are used primarily for pain relief. However, they can also be used to improve mood, sleep quality, stress reduction, and immunity.

Acupuncture is a treatment that can reduce chronic back pain, anxiety, depression and improve the immune system, promote weightloss, and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated 5,000 years ago and has been practiced in China since ancient times.

TCM, although it gained prominence in the late 1800s, is still an integral part of health care.

Today, it's estimated that more than 70 percent of people in the United States rely on TCM for treatment.

Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Around 5000 B.C., yoga was born in India. Yoga is now widely accepted worldwide.

Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Although there is limited scientific research, yoga seems to have positive effects on sleep33 and may be helpful for those suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies, such as meditation, homeopathy, aromatherapy, are also becoming more mainstream.

One of the most common types of CAM used today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are made up of herbs, spices flowers, seeds fruits, nuts, bark, leaves and roots.

They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 45% of adult cancer patients used alternative medicine during their treatment.

The National Institutes of Health estimates 60% of cancer patients use CAM. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports approximately 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent study 51% of cancer survivors used at least one type CAM.

However, only 8% discussed the topic with their physicians.

This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.

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