Plant Rich Diets

A plant-rich diet comes from whole sources of foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and beans. Foods from these plant sources have excellent internal and external benefits for your overall health and well- being. A diet rich in plant foods is an essential component of a healthy diet and a proactive way to improve and maintain a healthy you.

Plant-Rich Diet Components

A plant-rich diet is based on a fiber-dense and nutrient-rich diet. The variety and balance of healthy nutrients found in a plant-based diet is potent. Foods from plant sources provide the body with the nutrients needed to be healthy and function properly without any of the bad fats, carbohydrates and sugars that many other food sources contain. A plant-rich diet is packed full of vital nutrients the body thrives on, such as water, vitamins and minerals, fiber, essential fat (good fats) healthy protein (non-animal source) whole-food carbohydrates (good carbs), enzymes, phytochemicals and antioxidants. According to the United States Department of Agriculture a plant-rich diet is void of refined foods popular in the Western diet and composed primarily of whole foods derived from natural sources.

Benefits of a Plant-Rich Diet

Antioxidants and phytochemicals are two powerful benefits that a plant-rich diet offers. Antioxidants are abundant in plant-based foods and are known for neutralizing and preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals. According to the Mayo Clinic antioxidants such as beta carotene, vitamins C and E, lycopene, selenium and lutein are better consumed from food sources opposed to supplement form and can be valuable in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and macular degeneration. Phytochemicals also have powerful antioxidant properties and cellular protection. In addition phytochemicals stimulate enzyme production and reduce inflammation. According to Futurity, phytochemicals also can be beneficial in preventing "oxidative stress in the body, a process associated with obesity and the onset of disease." A diet rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals can benefit heart and cellular health as well as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing the risk of diabetes and promote weight loss and maintenance.

Plant-Rich Foods

According to the Mayo Clinic, berries are an excellent plant-rich food. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries are among the highest choices. Other fruits such as apples (with peel) raisins, plums, avocados pomegranates, oranges red grapes and cherries are also good choices. Raw nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds and sesame seeds and whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat and barley are fiber-packed and nutritiously dense choices. Beans, lentils and peas in addition to green leafy vegetables and dark red and yellow vegetables are all a part of a plant- rich diet and supports good health and well-being.

Go Organic

Choosing plant-rich foods from organic sources is the optimum way to get the most nutrient-rich whole foods to nourish and protect your body at the cellular level. Going organic eliminates the chemicals, pesticides waxes and additives that non-organic plant-based foods can contain. Organic plant-rich foods are a cleaner, healthier choice to obtain all of the healthful benefits that a plant-rich diet contains.