Dr. Isabel Sharkar, NMD, is co-founder of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic in Washington, D.C., a thriving clinic that has been serving the local community in health restoration and body optimization for over a decade. Being in constant pursuit for truth and healing Dr. Isabel graduated in 2011 from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Here's something that might surprise you about plant-based nutrition: not all plant-based diets require elimination of meat. From "meaty" to minimal to meat-free, there are a variety of plans to choose from. And whatever plan you choose, you can be confident that your plant-based diet will help enhance fitness performance, reduce your risk for acute illness, and protect against chronic diseases. In addition, your plant-based diet will play a part in reducing society's reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing degradation of environmental resources, and supporting the vitality of Mother Earth and all her creatures.
Q: What is a Plant-Based Diet?A plant-based diet is a nutritional approach that places the focus of each meal on filling your plate with plant foods and whole foods: foods that are not processed and laden with sugars, preservatives, artificial ingredients, or other chemicals and additives.The greater the volume of plant-based and whole foods in your diet, the greater your likelihood for good health.Q: What are some examples of foods that make-up a plant-based menu?
Q: What is the Difference Between No Meat and Less-Meat Diets?Vegan and vegetarian diets, the two most well-known, eliminate meat, fish, and poultry to differing degrees. Vegan diets also eliminate eggs, dairy products, and any other products that are derived from animals.
Q: Do I Have to Completely Eliminate Meat to Benefit from Plant-based Eating?No. A plant-based diet doesn't have to eliminate meat, it means you are getting more plant-based nutrition. That choice is one that vegans and vegetarians often make based on personal, health, and environmental considerations. Should you choose a plant-based diet, you may still eat small amounts of meat, as well as poultry, fish, seafood, and dairy (aka flexitarian or a sub-type of vegetarianism noted above).Q: How Do I Begin?
You may want to plan meals ahead of time so that you can carefully balance nutrients at each meal (that is, making sure you get sufficient protein, carbs, healthy fats and a variety of nutrients throughout the day).Q: Are Packaged Meat-free Meals a Good Choice?Packaged meatless meals are available and may be a good option, in moderation. Grocery store shelves are filled with these processed plant-based "fortified with" foods. But buyer beware: many of these products (including the meatless burgers that are on restaurant menus) are highly processed. Look for foods that have a short list of ingredients, most of them being plant-derived, and free of chemical additives, hydrogenated oils, and emulsifiers.Q: Will I Get Enough Nutrients on a Plant-Based Diet?When you opt for more plant-based eating, be adventurous in trying new foods and different combinations of foods to help ensure that you consume the nutrients essential for optimal health, including:
To help you establish a plant-based diet that meets your specific needs, give us a call today at (202) 298-9131 so we can help you assess your nutrient status. This may involve running blood tests or other assessments to check for nutrient deficiencies in your diet. Learn more about Micronutrient Testing here.
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(202) 499-7535
Indigo Integrative Health Clinic
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite #660
Washington, D.C. 20007
Hours of operation
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm