We eat a whole food plant-based diet, or at least we strive toward it.
A Whole Food Plant-Based Diet (WFPB)
Unlike the Standard American Diet (SAD) a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet consists of whole grains (rice, quinoa, etc.), beans, potatoes, vegetables (including leafy greens), and fruit. Typically most people who are WFPB eaters avoid highly processed food (or food like products) and foods that contain products that come from animals.
Isn’t that Vegan?
Yes and no. Most people who call themselves Vegan are not only concerned about avoiding animal products in their diet but also in all areas of their lives. That means no leather, no wool, and avoiding bath/body/beauty products that come from animals.
While many vegans focus on eating healthy there are some vegans who eat a lot of processed food that may be vegan but isn’t necessarily healthy. The most famous example I can think of is Oreo’s.
I don’t identify myself as vegan but I completely respect those who do.
Oil
We have also made the decision to avoid eating oil. We no longer use oil to cook or bake. Yes that included olive oil and coconut oil. We still get healthy fats from seeds and nuts, along with healthy amounts of fat that are naturally found in plants.
Real Life
Healthy eating is possible even in real life with bills, kids, and crazy schedules. We make it work. We don’t worry about every bite we take. We just do our best. For us that means there may be oil in my salad dressing at a restaurant but not at my house. My husband may choose to order meat if we eat out but I don’t buy or cook it at home. If I don’t pack enough snacks when we are out of the house I may order some fries for my kids to share. I know they are not healthy but an order of fries isn’t the end of the world.
Honor
We also believe that our bodies were created by God and we have a duty to take care of them. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Also Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”
I don’t see how I can honor God by treating my body like a garbage disposal. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not perfect and don’t eat perfectly, I have a lot to learn and really need to be more active and deliberate in how I care for my body.
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Principle
Since I’m the one who makes the rules for the way I eat I am the only one who can enforce them. I’m not one to get bent out of shape about food, with the exception of food for my son due to multiple food allergies. I’ve very careful about avoiding dairy but if I’m offered a chocolate chip cookie I eat it. Ok, I’ll accept almost any chocolate, but I decline anything that is obviously dairy filled like cheese cake, ice cream, etc. Some people may have a problem with this, I’m sorry if I offend them but I’m not sorry I eat the cookie. 🙂
This principle can be applied to Starbucks, Coke, or any number of other things occasionally. Since I don’t keep these things in my home they are not a regular indulgence.
