People often think a whole-food plant-based diet is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. I know many people who this way remark how much money they save by not purchasing meat, eggs, and dairy. Instead of making a protein the star of the meal, most plant-based eaters make the starch the center of their meal and build around it.
It also really helps if you eat the plants locally when they are in season. I live in Northern California and in the summer months there is an abundance of beautiful fruits and vegetables. There are many roadside stands and farmers’ markets to get ripe and fresh produce that is been just picked.
There are online sites to help people in the U.S. know what is in season where you live during each month of the year. Step out of your comfort zone and try a new fruit or vegetable that is in season that you have never eaten.
https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
If you can not buy fresh, then know that frozen produce is a great option. Frozen produce is often picked and processed immediately, preserving its nutrition. Frozen produce makes putting together a healthy plant centered meal a good option any time of the year.
Try the American Gut Health Challenge
The challenge is inspired by one of the largest microbiome studies conducted by the American Gut Project, which shows that eating at least 30 whole, diverse plants per week can have a positive impact on your gut microbiome. I know that 30 sounds like a huge number, but things like spices, onions, and garlic count toward your challenge goal. We all want to have a healthy digestive system, so please count your plants for one week and see how you do with the challenge.
