The newest diet on the block, The Thrive Diet is the brainchild of former professional endurance triathlete Brendan Brazier. The diet is based on the book of the same name and promises healing, repair and nourishment through a 12-week meal plan.
The Good Part
If you don’t like to count calories or focus on portion control then the Thrive Diet is good for you. Simply because this diet encourages you to eat several small meals a day to maintain sugar and energy levels.
Also, since the plan consists of eating raw, vegan foods, weight loss, blood sugar stabilization, and improved cardiovascular health is inevitable. The diet shuns all animal products and processed foods to create earth-friendly menus that contribute to good health.
What Can You Eat
You can eat foods that are raw or minimally cooked at low temperatures and only nutrient-dense foods like:
- Beans
- Seeds
- Leafy greens
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Hemp
- Cold-pressed oils
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sea vegetables
- Brown rice
The goal is to eat foods that deliver enough nutrients without the need for additional supplementation. If you are freaking out about the limitation of the list, don’t. The options of plant-based foods are quite extensive and you will have plenty of variety to choose from.
Foods to Avoid
Anything with meat, dairy, refined carbohydrates, starch and sugar.
Health Benefits
Consuming a pan based diet aids in maintaining a healthy weight while assisting in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Many studies have shown that a Vegan Diet helps to reduce high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and death by cardiovascular disease.
A diet the Thrive diet is a perfect way to rebooting the body and introducing a new and healthier way of looking at food. Yes, its also high effort since you will have to prepare your meals at home, but if you love to cook an experiment, this is perfect for you.
Side Effects
If you are used to a meat-based diet, then be ready to experience some intense craving during the first few weeks. Also, you may also find yourself at risk for nutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin D, calcium, DHA, and vitamin B-12.
You may also suffer from bloating, changes in bowel habits, mood swings and irritability in the initial stages.
Who Should Try This Diet
- Cooking enthusiasts
- Athletes
- People suffering from physical discomforts such as obesity, fatigue and other health issues.
Recommendation
Food withdrawal and craving are tough to handle especially if you have a busy work life so don’t jump on this diet straight away. Instead, start by tweaking our diet daily to incorporate more plant-based items. If you wish to experience the Thrive Diet without committing to it 100%, begin by incorporating a couple of thrive-approved snacks or meals to let your body get used to it.
Sample Menu
- Breakfast: Wild Rice Yam Pancakes with agave nectar and fruit
- Morning snack: energy bar
- Lunch: Cucumber Pesto Salad With Tomato Basil Dressing
- Afternoon snack: Smoothie
- Dinner: Almond Flaxseed Burger With Mixed Greens and Sweet Pepper Hemp Pesto
- After-dinner snack: Zucchini Chips