Plant-Based Eating: Is It Worth The Hype?

While a plant-based diet may take many forms and the definition may vary depending on who you talk to, experts have defined it as a way of eating that "consists of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products." While there are no hard and fast rules and each person is unique in their dietary and lifestyle choices, experts usually use that criteria to distinguish plant-based diets from other forms of eating.

"Essentially, 'plant-based' protein is defined as any non-meat-based protein source - eg. soy, seeds, corn, nuts, and certain grains," says One Medical provider Robert Duhaney, MD. "Dairy-based foods are often not included in many plant-based diets."

If that definition sounds right in line with "veganism," you're not wrong - but people who identify as vegan may also extend those ethics into other aspects of their lifestyles. For example, many vegans may also choose to avoid animal products like leather clothing.

Duhaney also points out that there are various other classifications of plant-based diets as well. Some other diets are considered "plant-based" because the vast majority of the foods a person eats come from plants instead of animals, but may also include some meat products. Examples include the Mediterranean diet, which allows for consumption of small portions of meat, and the macrobiotic diet, which may include white meat or fish.