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Why I Follow A Plant-Based Diet

Learn why I adopted a plant-based diet over a decade ago, who I rely on for accurate information, and what benefits I’ve experienced.

caricature of margaret in a basket of fruits and vegetables representing a plant-based lifestyle

I began my quest to return to a healthier weight began in early 2011. It started with counting calories. I used a calorie-counting tool on a site called Calorie Count and carefully documented my meals and activities. (The site no longer exists.)

The site helped me identify my ideal weight and a target number of calories per day that would enable me to lose 1-2 pounds a week.

I managed to lose 40 pounds in 5 months before I tired of counting calories and hit a plateau.

A Little Knowledge is a Good Thing

Keeping a food journal on Calorie Count made me more mindful of what I was eating. While I was counting calories, I also read about nutrition.

A friend told me about a documentary called Forks Over Knives. The documentary had not yet been released, but I was able to purchase the companion book Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health. I was intrigued by the book’s premise and went on to read books written by the doctors and researchers featured in the documentary.

By the time the film was released in August 2011, I was convinced that eliminating animal protein and processed oils from my diet was worth trying.

The Benefits of Going Plant-Based

Adopting a plant-based (vegan) lifestyle enabled me to lose an additional 30 pounds by 2012 without counting a single calorie. Over the years, a few pounds have crept back on—especially when I don’t watch my sugar and fat intake—but I have kept most of the weight off without dieting.

More About Me

  • Why I created This Blog
  • Why I’m An Unlikely Food Blogger

Questions?

Please feel free to contact me.

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Note: The information I publish on Veggie Primer is based on my experience and represents my personal opinion. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of the information I share.

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