#35: Why You Want Whole Plant-Based Foods with Anna Tseng

May 09, 2023

In this episode…

Are you feeling confused about the differences between vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, and plant-forward diets? With so much noise surrounding nutrition on the internet, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

Anna Tseng, a plant-based registered dietician with a master's degree in Public Health Nutrition and founder of Plant Nourished, is here to help clear things up. In our conversation, Anna empowers us with key skills, practical strategies, and tasty plant-based recipes, so we can enjoy a health-transforming, vibrant life without spending long hours in the kitchen.

At the end of this conversation, I truly want you to be empowered to eat for your body type.

Plant-based eating is centered on plant foods rather than meat, with whole plant-based foods being the focus. Plant-based diets are an umbrella term that covers different types of plant-centered diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, and whole-food plant-based diets. The whole food plant-based diet is focused on minimally processed or unprocessed whole plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

Plant-based eating is not an all-or-nothing approach. Anna describes it as a spectrum or continuum, where individuals can start at any point and gradually move towards the most healthful plant-based foods.

We also discuss research findings on individuals with a predominantly plant-based diet. The statistics are mind-blowing and insightful. The numbers that Anna presented definitely got my attention!

A lot of women in my community are perimenopausal and menopausal, so I had to ask Anna for her insight on food and menopausal symptoms.

We both agree that changing the way we eat and our lifestyle may seem overwhelming, but by taking small steps we can improve our health and eliminate chronic diseases.

There are so many studies and research findings that Anna shares with us in this conversation. Grab a notebook as you listen to this one!

Highlights of this episode:

We discuss practical tips for incorporating plant-based foods into your diet, particularly for those who may be hesitant or unfamiliar with plant-based eating.
For those new to plant-based eating, Anna suggests starting with the first meal of the day and incorporating plant-based proteins and whole grains into meals gradually.
Anna emphasizes that calcium can be obtained from various plant-based sources, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, tahini, and oranges, and suggests aiming to meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium.
Anna identifies as someone who eats a whole food, plant-based diet, citing health concerns in her extended family as a motivation for transitioning to this way of eating.
Anna's expertise goes beyond just exploring new foods. She also helps her clients find clarity in their eating habits. Her Plant-Powered Life Transformation Course provides a step-by-step framework to help you build your skills and confidence in starting and sustaining a thriving plant-based lifestyle.

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