Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

It’s time to talk about some of the more common mistakes that might happen with a 
plant-based diet. These don’t happen with everyone, but when you overlook them, can 
be the reason you aren’t able to stick to being more plant-based. If you are serious 
about making this change in the way you eat, try to avoid these common pitfalls.


Turning it Into a Restrictive Diet

It is imperative that you be very careful with how much you restrict, and when. This is 
why we keep reminding you to take it slow and make small changes, instead of just 
removing all animal products on the first day.

If you are turning your plant-based diet into a way to severely cut back on fat and 
calories, lose weight, or add to your toxic earing habits, you are doing it the wrong way. 
Plant-based diets are about eating more whole foods, cooking at home, reducing anima 
consumption, and improving your health. 


Not Eating Enough

Another very common mistake made with the plant-based diet is to not eat enough in 
general. This is easy to do in the beginning since meat, poultry, fish, cheese, and eggs 
tend to be higher in fat and calories than many of the plant-based whole foods you are 
going to eat. 

If you feel low on energy, have epic cravings, or feel overall unwell and lethargic, it 
might be that you are not consuming enough calories. While counting calories is not 
something you don’t need to do if you aren’t trying to lose weight, it might be a good 
idea in the beginning just until you get a good idea of how much you are eating each 
day.


Failing to See the Benefits

If you rushed into the plant-based lifestyle or you don’t remember WHY you wanted to 
do it in the first place, it is going to be very hard to stick to long-term. There isn’t much 
you can stick with if you don’t know why you are doing it. Not just the general benefits, 
but why you specifically are passionate about it and feel that it is a good fit for your 
lifestyle.

Get out a notebook or journal and write down all YOUR reasons for wanting to go plant-
based. Nothing is too trivial here, and they don’t have to be the same reasons your 
friends have. Dig deep and really think about what you brought you to this conclusion, 
how long you have been considering, and why you ultimately decided it was a healthy 
option for you. 

Keep that list close and reference it whenever you need a reminder.


Black and White Thinking

The black and white, all-or-nothing mentality won’t serve you. If you think plant-based is 
an all or nothing diet, then you have it wrong and are going to make it more challenging 
than it needs to be. 

The entire purpose of a plant-based diet is to introduce you to more foods that come 
from plants and natural sources, help the environment, and boost your own health. It is 
not about restricting, not eating enough, or punishing yourself for eating a burger or 
having regular cow’s milk.


Assuming You Have to Be Vegan

Plant-based is more of a flexitarian diet, where you can still have some animal products, 
though the majority of your diet will be with those vegan options. If you Google plant-
based diets, far too many resources tell you it is the same thing as a vegan diet, but this 
is not true. These are not interchabeable terms.






