NEW TO BEING VEGAN? WE’RE ANSWERING YOUR TOP NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Are you getting enough protein? Should you take supplements? Here’s everything you need to know about going plant-based...

Switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best things you can do for your health and the planet, but the transition can come with a lot of questions...

“Am I getting enough protein?” “Should I start taking vitamins?” “Can I get the nutrients I need from plants?”

Today we’re answering your most asked questions and sharing our top 10 tips for going plant-based and improving your health.

On a plant-based diet, there’s one question you’ll get asked over and over: “Where do you get your protein?” And while protein is a key part of any diet, it is possible to consume too much. In fact, a 2013 study compared the protein intake of 71,000 non-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans. The study found that vegetarians and vegans got 70% more protein than they need, while non-vegetarians got 80% more than they need.

So, how much protein do you really need? Probably less than you think. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that the average adult gets at least 0.8 grams of protein for every two pounds of body weight per day.

Luckily, plants contain protein! Plant-based foods including beans, grains, and nuts are chock-full of essential nutrients and protein. And compared to meat, these foods can actually keep you living a healthier, longer life. In 2003, a study published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” confirmed that diets lower in meat consumption led to a longer life expectancy.

Ready to fuel with plants? Here are the top plant-based protein sources.

While eating a diverse, plant-based diet should provide you with all the nutrients you need, you can still be deficient in vitamins and minerals. The truth is, most people are lacking essential nutrients in their diet. Yes, omnivores too! In fact, 92% of the U.S. population is suffering from at least one mineral or vitamin deficiency. 

According to multiple studies, some of the most common deficiencies in the world are iron, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. So, how can you tell if you’re nutrient deficient? By listening to your body! Fatigue, headaches, depression, and sudden weight gain are all common symptoms of nutritional deficiency.

If you believe you're lacking essential nutrients, a blood test from your doctor should be able to tell you what you’re missing. Want to learn more? Check out this helpful article to learn how to fill the gaps in your diet.

To put it simply, superfoods are nutritional powerhouses. They’re natural whole foods extremely high in micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and healthy fats.

So, why would you eat superfoods when you can pop a multivitamin? Because multivitamins are artificially made and contain synthetic nutrients. Research shows that it’s still unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed in the body, if at all. And on top of that, some supplements can be harmful, especially because the FDA does not review them for safety and effectiveness.

To sum it up: When you eat real food that grows in nature, you’re not consuming isolated nutrients. Instead, you’re eating a variety of micronutrients that your body will truly be thankful for! I

Superfoods like bananas, blueberries, cacao, and chia seeds can all be found at your local grocery store. But the easiest way to add them to your daily routine is in powdered form. Our superfood mixes can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, water, dressings — the possibilities are endless!



Want to get started with superfoods? Click here to check out our collection of functional superfood mixes.

Look at you! You’ve already tackled the most important step: deciding to go plant-based. And now that we’ve answered your nutrition questions, you can finally get started. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Here are our top tips for stocking a plant-based pantry!