The healthy plate model is based on plants. So, techinically, it’s also a plant-based diet.
This is the scientifically sound guideline recommended by many dietitians. Only a quarter of the plate is dedicated to protein which, if you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, should ideally be a combination of animal and plant protein
Substituting some animal proteins for plant proteins can have many health benefits such as:
- Improved bowel movements (due to increased fibre)
- Reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (due to less saturated fats and more fibre)
- Improved gut health (due to prebiotic function of fibre)
- Increased micronutrient intake (from all the grains, vegetables and fruit you’ll be eating).
- Try going without animal protein for at least one meal per day and one whole day per week.