I Tried a Plant-Based Diet Before and After 30 Days

My latest adventure is a 30-day plant-based diet challenge! I’ve always been curious about this way of eating, but never took the leap. That is, until I started hearing about all the amazing health benefits it could bring, from clearer skin to more energy. I was certainly intrigued.

I must admit that I had some reservations about beginning this diet. Giving up all of my favourite foods (particularly meat and cheese) seemed like a big sacrifice. But as the weeks passed, I was pleasantly surprised by all the mouthwatering plant-based meals I was finding. My taste buds were savouring every delicious meal!

Why did I undertake this challenge? Primarily, I wanted to see how my body would react to a drastic change in my eating habits. I also wanted to do my part in reducing my carbon footprint and making a positive impact on the environment. I’m hoping that by the end of these 30 days, I’ll have gained a new appreciation for plant-based foods. Hey, maybe I can even adopt this way of eating as a permanent lifestyle change!

After weeks of following this routine, I’ve made a few discoveries. Let me share my results on a plant-based diet before and after 30 days.

Plant-Based Diet Before and After 1 Week

Day 1

Today was the day I finally mustered up the courage to say goodbye to meat and embrace a plant-based diet. It was a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience, but I was eager for a challenge and couldn’t wait to see what this new lifestyle had in store for me.

I started my journey with a delicious bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, topped with almond milk and fresh berries. It was the sweetest, most comforting start to my day, and it set the tone for what was to come. Throughout the day, I found myself reaching for snacks like carrots and hummus, which I never would have thought to do before. And for dinner, I tried my first ever lentil soup, and boy, was it a revelation! The warm, cozy flavors made for the perfect end to my first day on this new adventure.

Surprisingly, I felt full and satisfied after each meal, even without any meat. I never thought I’d be able to feel that way. It was a huge personal accomplishment and made me confident about this diet. I’m beyond excited to discover more delicious plant-based meals on this journey of mine!

Day 2

I woke up with a skip in my step, ready to embrace another day of plant-based eating!

My breakfast was a delightful avocado toast with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of salt. Yum! For lunch, I feasted on a big salad with lots of veggies, quinoa, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. And for dinner, I indulged in a creamy, dreamy pumpkin pasta that had me reaching for seconds. I was definitely starting to feel the positive effects of this new diet and couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for me.

Day 3

Today was a rough one, guys.

I woke up craving something hearty and filling, but all I had was a sad bowl of fruit. I was feeling hangry by 10am and couldn’t shake the constant hunger pangs. Lunch was a bland veggie wrap and dinner was a plate of steamed veggies that just left me feeling unsatisfied. I was starting to miss the taste of meat and was seriously considering quitting this plant-based journey.

Day 4

It was like the universe was conspiring against me today, as I was bombarded with the aroma of juicy burgers and crispy fried chicken all day. I found myself daydreaming about biting into a big, juicy steak. I was starting to feel like this plant-based diet was too hard and that I just couldn’t stick to it. I was so tempted to cheat, but I didn’t want to give up just yet. I was determined to push through and see if things got any better.

Day 5

Today was a fantastic day for my plant-based journey. I caught up with my dear friend Karen, who is a passionate vegan, and she treated me to her favorite restaurant. We enjoyed some delicious grilled vegetables, roasted eggplant, and a satisfying quinoa salad.

This meal was one of the highlights of my diet so far. I had been feeling a little discouraged lately, but after trying all the scrumptious food, I am now confident that this diet is not only doable, but also enjoyable. Karen and I had such a great time chatting and laughing over lunch. I left feeling reinvigorated and more determined than ever to stick with this journey.

Day 6

Dinner tonight was a bit of a disaster, but a hilarious one nonetheless. I decided to try my hand at a roasted vegetable stew and let’s just say, things didn’t exactly go as planned. I ended up burning the vegetables to a crisp and making a mess of the kitchen.

Despite the disaster, my taste buds were in for a treat. I discovered that charred vegetables actually have a really great flavor and the smoky taste really elevated the stew. I couldn’t help but laugh at my amateur cooking skills, but I was still proud of my delicious discovery.

Day 7

I was invited to join some friends for dinner. Despite my best intentions, I ended up straying from my plant-based diet. I ordered a big juicy steak and as I was savoring each bite, I felt a pang of guilt. I couldn’t help but feel like I had let myself down.

As the night went on and I reflected on the past week, I realized just how much I had learned. I discovered that this plant-based diet was all about balance and finding what works best for me. I learned to appreciate new flavors, experiment with new recipes, and listen to my body. While tonight may have been a setback, it was just one small part of the bigger journey.

Looking ahead to next week, I know that I’ll be more mindful of my choices. I’ll make an effort to plan out my meals ahead of time and be more conscious of the impact that my food has on both my body and the environment. Overall, the first week on a plant-based diet has been a learning experience. I’m excited to see what the next few weeks will bring! Bring it on!

Plant-Based Diet Before and After 4 Weeks

Week 2

Week 2 of my plant-based journey was filled with both highs and lows. The good news was that I was feeling more confident in my ability to stick with this new way of eating. I was starting to get the hang of things, experimenting with new recipes and ingredients, and feeling more satisfied with each meal. However, there were still some challenges along the way.

Here are some of the standout moments from Week 2:

• I discovered the joys of plant-based smoothie bowls for breakfast! I blended frozen berries, banana, almond milk, and a scoop of protein powder for a delicious, filling start to my day.
• I had a successful meat-free dinner party with friends. I made a big salad with all sorts of colorful veggies, a quinoa dish, and a baked tofu that was a hit with everyone.
• I had a few moments where I felt like I was missing out on the foods I used to love, like burgers and fried chicken. It was tough, but I reminded myself of the reasons I wanted to try this diet in the first place and that kept me motivated.

One of my biggest challenges is when I crossed a Pizza Hut on my way home from work. Oh man, the smell of that pizza was just too much to handle! I really wanted to grab a slice, it smelled so good. But I knew if I gave in, I wouldn’t be sticking to my healthy eating plan. So, I mustered up all my willpower and walked away from the temptation. Even though my stomach was growling and I was feeling pretty sad about it, I told myself that being strong now will pay off in the long run.

My diet is working well. I feel more energetic and lighter. I even saw a few pounds come off on the scale. It felt like the more I included plants in my diet, the better I felt. Overall, Week 2 was a great success and I was excited to see the progress I was making. I couldn’t wait to see what else this plant-based journey had in store for me.

Week 3

Week 3 was filled with new experiences in my plant-based journey. I tried Meels, a meal plan delivery service that Karen recommended. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and easy to prepare each meal was. It was a huge relief to have one less thing to worry about, meal planning, and have more time for other things.

One of my favorite memories from Week 3 was the time I tried making a plant-based pizza for dinner. It was so delicious, I was shocked! I used a whole wheat crust, topped it with marinara sauce, grilled veggies, and a dairy-free cheese. Our whole family loved it.

Another fun moment was when I went out to dinner with friends and we tried a new vegan restaurant. I was skeptical at first, but the food was amazing! From the appetizers to the entrees, everything was fresh, flavorful, and filling. I left the restaurant feeling inspired to continue my diet.

Week 4

Week 4 of my plant-based diet journey was a bittersweet one. On the one hand, I was feeling the amazing results of my journey – my skin was clearer, I had more energy, and I had lost some weight. On the other hand, it was tough to know that this journey was coming to an end.

This week, I experimented with some new recipes, like a mouth-watering portobello mushroom burger and a roasted vegetable stir-fry with tofu. I also continued to searching for new recipes to try.

Perhaps the highlight of this week was when I had dinner with friends at a vegetarian restaurant. I was apprehensive about how my friends would react to my new diet, but they were all supportive and even curious about the flavors and ingredients I was discovering. I even convinced another friend to try the diet.

Overall, I have to say that this month-long plant-based journey has been eye-opening. I never imagined I could feel this good while eating such flavorful, satisfying meals. I’m definitely considering making this way of eating a permanent part of my life.

After My Plant-Based Diet

I’m proud of myself for finishing four weeks of a plant-based diet.

The journey was far from perfect. The first few days were filled with cravings for meat and cheese, and I often felt unsure if I was getting enough nutrients. However, with each passing day, I found new plant-based options to add to my meals and discovered a world of flavors I never knew existed.

Despite the challenges, I found myself becoming more comfortable with the diet as the weeks went by. I noticed a significant decrease in bloating and a boost in energy levels, which made me feel like I was doing something right for my body.

As my plant-based journey comes to an end, I am left with a sense of pride and accomplishment. While I may not be fully plant-based for the rest of my life, I am definitely going to continue including more healthy foods in my meals.