Healthy Eating Made Easy: Prioritize Plant-Based Foods

There are plenty of reasons to love a fun, family getaway, starting with letting go of the reins a bit when it comes to food. Moms typically swap the shopping and meal prep for restaurant reservations, copious amounts of daily snacks and dessert for the kids, and perhaps that extra glass of wine or two for themselves. If you’re looking to dial in the nutrition after a few vacation splurges, Contributor Sarah Wragge has tips for getting back on track.

Wragge, a holistic health coach and founder of her eponymous Sarah Wragge Method, says plant-based eating is her ticket to energy, glowing skin, and good digestion. Her trademark “SWW Plate” puts veggies at the foundation of every meal. “Fill up on veggies first, protein next and if you’re still hungry (I bet you won’t be!), you can enjoy your carbs last,” says Wragge.  

There’s an avalanche of evidence urging us to make plants the star of the show. For the sixth year in a row, U.S. News and World Report rated the Mediterranean Diet the best in the world. Think veggies, extra virgin olive oil, fish, beans, and whole grains. According to the Mayo Clinic, following the Mediterranean diet leads to longer life expectancy and lower rates of chronic diseases compared to adults on other diets. And recent studies out of Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health confirm switching to a plant-based diet reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

For Wragge, it’s not just the research, but anecdotal evidence that points to the same outcome. “What goes up must come down,” she warns. “When eating glucose-spiking foods, the blood sugar shoots up and then as it falls, there’s a craving for more carbs and sugary foods.”

Accessibility is key, too. Wragge sticks to plant-based eating whether you’re cooking dinner at home or eating out. And her recipes are certainly tempting.  

Check out Wragge’s colorful and delicious recipes here.