"That's Way Too Much Work"

This has been a recurring response after I explain my eating habits to others. Most changes in life seem like a lot of work and after an adjustment period, that hard work becomes more of a mindless habit. I've come to terms with the seemingly endless amount of chopping that a plant based diet requires and anyone who makes the switch would quickly realize this as well.

The work load doesn't even have much to do with being vegan or nutritarian. Once people realize that processed food will kill you (sorry to be so dramatic, but I mean that literally, friends), they start preparing more meals at home. Un-processed diets have been gaining popularity thanks to different sources like the clean eating philosophy, paleo diet, and more wide-spread education from whole-food advocates. You can't log on to Pinterest without seeing some info-graphic telling you to "eat this, not that." This trend is fantastic and has been driving more and more people to their kitchens.

Now that you're in the kitchen, let's start placing more emphasis on the quality of your culinary creations. Instead of marinating chicken, turn on a pot of beans for protein and fiber. Don't whisk oil and vinegar together feverishly, throw a few whole ingredients in a blender and flip the switch for highly nutritious oil-free dressings. Rather than rationing out tiny portions of salty snacks, chop up a few of your favorite veggies to be ready for munching that doesn't have to be measured.

If you're committed to avoiding processed foods (who isn't, right? Right???), then the amount of work whether your a carnivore or herbivore is relatable.


Disclaimer: please don't roll your eyes and think I'm speaking from a pedestal...my diet is not always a picture of perfection. I will likely be having some sort of processed (hopefully minimally) dinner tonight as I left my delectable nutritarian brown rice with teriyaki vegetables in the fridge before starting a 6 hour car trip. We all do the best we can!