Do you think plant-based diets are unsatisfying and short on protein? You’re not alone–and you’re also incorrect, says lifestyle medicine doctor Colin Zhu, DO.
A chronic disease epidemic is currently plaguing the health of Americans. Many of these illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be prevented or alleviated with lifestyle changes.
Colin Zhu, DO, is on a mission to make sure his patients are armed with the knowledge to make those changes. Board-certified in family medicine, lifestyle medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine, Dr. Zhu is a bold advocate for teaching healthier eating, exercise and stress management to patients.
“It is not hard to counsel patients on healthy eating and living. A 5-minute talk on proper cooking techniques and meal-prepping, for instance, can be done just as fast as writing a prescription for medication,” advises Dr. Zhu.
Dr. Zhu’s training—which includes health-supportive and plant-based culinary arts training at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York as well as health coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition after he finished medical school in 2011—has taught him the benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet (WFPB), an eating pattern that encourages the consumption of unrefined plant foods (such as fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) and discourages meats, dairy products, eggs and processed foods.
As beneficial as a WFPB diet is, it can be a daunting and extreme option for many patients. That’s why Dr. Zhu advocates the concept of “crowding out” to his patients.
The DO spoke with Dr. Zhu about the myths surrounding WFPB diets, why some of them persist, and what’s really going on with WFPB diets.
Here are five myths of a whole food plant-based diet debunked!
Myth 1: There is no evidence that a WFPB diet is healthier than other diets.
Fact: Evidence suggests a WFPB diet can not only prevent but treat coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women, and other illnesses.
In a 21-year Cleveland Clinic study led by Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, advanced CAD was stopped and reversed in patients who complied with a plant-based diet and maintained a total cholesterol of less than 150 mg/dL and an LDL-cholesterol of less than 80 mg/dL. In a 2008 study led by Dean Ornish, MD, and colleagues, a plant-based diet combined with exercise and stress reduction was shown to delay the advancement of prostate cancer in some patients.
Myth 2: I won’t get enough protein on a WFPB diet.
Fact: Though most Americans rely heavily on animal sources for protein, the truth is that we can meet our daily protein needs from vegetarian sources.
Myth 3: Plant-based diets are high in carbs.
Fact: All carbs are not created equal, says Dr. Zhu. “Mother Nature created things whole. She didn’t just give us carbohydrates, but whole complex [or intact] carbohydrates—which is what our bodies need for energy—as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.” Whole, plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, are also high in fiber, which helps slow the digestion of food so we don’t experience a sudden spike in blood sugar followed by a crash.
Myth 4: There is nothing wrong with lean animal protein that is fried or grilled.
In contrast, vegetables, fruits and whole grains contain relatively few AGEs, also known as glycotoxins, even after cooking.
Myth 5: Eating a plant-based diet will leave you hungry all the time.
Fact: “This is not true,” says Dr. Zhu. “When people think of plant food, they think of eating salads for every meal. But on a WFPB diet, calories can come from tubers, whole grains, and legumes such as peas, lentils and beans.” These foods help load you up with fiber, which is what makes you feel satiated and prevents cravings.
Has Dr Zhu written a book on the subject or does he have recommendations for books on the matter?
Hi, Dr. Lent. Glad you asked. Dr. Zhu blogs about lifestyle medicine and healthy eating at chefdoczhu.com and has written a book called “Thrive Medicine.” The DO asked him and he suggested the “Forks Over Knives” documentary and books as a good place for anyone to start educating themselves on whole-food plant-based diets.