How To Choose The Best Vegetarian And Plant-Based Foods

What can I actually eat on a plant-based or vegetarian diet?

It’s natural to wonder about your options.

Carrots and broccoli are givens. But are all plant-based foods “okay” to eat?

So often, people want to know things like:

• Is peanut butter a decent source of protein?
• How often should I eat soy products?
• Since I don’t eat fish, how do I get enough omega 3 fats? 
• Are plant-based burgers okay?
• Can I eat pasta on a plant-based diet? (Please say yes…?)

It can also be tricky to figure which plant-based foods fit into which macronutrient categories.

Take chickpeas, lentils, and veggie burgers. Are they mostly protein? Carbohydrates? Fat? (HELP!)

Fair warning: I'm not going to tell you that some foods are “good” and “bad”—or tell you there’s a “right” way to eat. But I will show you how to think about foods on a spectrum from “eat more” to “eat some” to “eat less.”

Progress, not perfection, right?

Use this infographic to make choices that are “just a little bit better,” whether you’re browsing the grocery store aisles, cooking a homemade meal, or ordering from a menu.

Plus, learn how to:

• Incorporate a mix of plant-based proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Strategically improve your food choices—based on what you eat right now—to feel, move, and look better.
• Customize your intake for your individual lifestyle, goals, and (of course) taste buds.

As a bonus, there is a space to create your own personal plant-based foods continuum. That way, you can build a delicious menu of healthy foods that are right for you—no questions asked!