Putting the taste in
Whole Food Plant Based
WFPB? WTF!
What is WFPB?
WFPB (short for Whole Foods Plant Based) is a way of eating where you get all of your food from only fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. People who follow a WFPB diet don't eat any animal proteins or animal byproducts, and they strive to eat things made from whole ingredients, as opposed to processed or refined ingredients.
How does WFPB compare with Vegetarian and Vegan diets?
Vegetarian diets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some vegetarians eat fish and/or dairy and eggs; others avoid all meat but still consume dairy. When a vegetarian diet excludes all animal-based products (including dairy, fish, and eggs), then it is actually a vegan diet. WFPB is similar to a vegan diet, but it goes a step further to also eliminate processed and refined foods, added oils, etc. The result is that WFPB excludes all added oils (even olive and vegetable oils), refined grains (like white flour or other "enriched" products), and other processed foods (from meatless burgers to table sugar). In our experiences, eating WFPB at a vegan restaurant is just about as difficult as eating WFPB at a fast-food burger chain. The menu might not contain meat, but oil and highly processed ingredients may be found in just about everything.
What are the benefits of a WFPB diet?
A lot of scientific evidence out there says many chronic diseases — like high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes — can be prevented, controlled, or even reversed with a whole-food, plant-based diet. We're not medical professionals, so please make any changes in diet and medication with the help of your personal physician. But if you want to see an example of how WFPB worked for us, read about Brian's adventures just two months after making the change to WFPB.
Will I get enough protein?
Yes! The idea that you can only get protein from animals is a myth. (Cows, by the way, don't eat meat.) A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and tubers (think potatoes) provides more than enough protein. The only way not to get enough protein is by being calorically deficient. "Healthy" oil? Also a myth. Oils are high in saturated fat and are highly processed. And processed equals bad. Click here to learn more about the myths of WFPB from a board-certified physician.
Why can't I eat oil? What about the healthy ones?
"Healthy" oil? Also a myth. Oils are high in fat and are highly processed. They're created by taking a whole food (like an olive) and stripping away all of the fiber, water, and other nutritive elements. What's left is 100% fat!
What are other myths about WFPB?
Click here to learn more about the myths of WFPB from a board-certified physician.
How will I get enough calcium?
Calcium is a mineral found in the soil and absorbed by plant roots. Animals get all the calcium they need from the plants. And so can we.
Where did y'all learn all this?
We both navigate our WFPB lifestyle using resources like these:
These websites are filled with excellent information, resources, and recipes.