I risk getting sweet potatoes thrown at me with this statement, but here it is: eating a noncompliant food on The Plant Paradox is not a failure. That’s right. If you ate a piece of cake or you drank a beer, you didn’t fail. Why not?

Because Plant Paradox is about forming habits, and that takes time. When you form habits, those habits become a lifestyle, which is the ultimate goal of the Plant Paradox. Failure on the Plant Paradox comes when you expect success without changing any of your old habits.

But what is the most important habit for those following the Plant Paradox way of life? What can a beginner start doing that will guarantee success? No better person to ask than the founder of the diet and current followers of the lifestyle:

 

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1. Practice Mindfulness

Choices made on auto-pilot don’t make new habits. Forming new habits involves mindfulness–paying attention to every choice you make–and time.

Be mindful of the moment you’re in…don’t worry about what you did yesterday or 30 years ago.

Jeanne Carrather Fox

 

Give things time. Understand that your tastebuds will change.

Mahalia Lydia Budzinski

 

2. Find Your People

You’re more likely to make and keep good habits if you have support. Fortunately, the virtual community surrounding this blog means you never have to go it alone!

GET A BUDDY.

Christine Fabian Chamber

 

 

Join the Facebook group. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. We would not be doing near as well without [support].

Michael-Lindy C.B.

 

3. Self Care

In your journey to a new lifestyle, don’t forget about the reason why you started in the first place–to take care of YOU. Be forgiving and kind to yourself.

 

Get good sleep. And drink lots of water.

Lisa K.

 

Be kind to yourself. It’s new, you’ll make mistakes, but tomorrow is a new day.

Terry Erl-Blair

 

Commit and don’t be afraid. Enjoy the new you and how much better you feel. Learn what triggers your issues and avoid, avoid, avoid. Don’t let others’ comments bother you and keep moving forward. This journey is truly amazing.

Angie Smith

 

Drop as many other obligations as you can for the first 3 or so weeks. You’re going to need to focus on establishing new eating habits and learning to prepare the food. And best to do it in as non-stressed a state of mind as you can manage.

Carol Apple

 

4. Purge & Replace

New habits are so much easier to make when there’s nothing left to trigger the old ones.

1. Clean out your cabinets and fridge of all non compliant foods.

2. Pre-make lectin-free snacks so you are prepared when the urge to snack hits.

3. Double your recipes so you can cook less often and or have it for lunch.

Marika Barker Chasse

 

–> Get a complete lectin-free pantry checklist HERE.

 

5. Plan & Prepare

Being successful without a plan is called luck. And you’re not likely to get lucky with finding compliant food in this lifestyle, unless you plan ahead.

Have a weekly meal plan. Know what food/meals you are going to prepare/eat. Shop with a list so you have everything you need for that week. Prep in advance (i.e. If you know you are going to have broccoli, clean & cut into florets etc. so it’s ready to go when you want it.

Alison T.

 

Read The Plant Paradox thoroughly. Understand what is going on in your body when you eat lectin free vs conventional healthy diet. Review key concepts every now and then. For me half the battle is maintaining a good mindset and the other half is acquiring the ingredients to prep the foods and keeping them stocked.

Carol Apple

 

Take the time to read ingredients. Bring the book and yes/no list with you and re-read as much as possible.

Pam A. Everett-Goodman

 

6. Find New Favorites

Find something delicious and/or easy that helps you replace “former” foods with delicious new alternatives.

Bake a Gundry-friendly chicken… Use up the meat in soups, salads and sandwiches and make your own broth with the bones.

Brooke S.

 

AVOCADOS – Lori B.

 

Get a good recipe for bread. A bit of toast lifts the spirits…and stops you wanting cake.

Jane Christian

 

MY NEW FAVORITES

The Best Ever Lectin-Free Chili

Egg, Spinach, & Goat Cheese Breakfast Burritos

Plant Paradox Mini-Bagels

 

7. Listen to Dr. G

I asked Dr. G what he thought the most important habit is (after all, his input

 

There you have it: don’t ever give up. If you make it a habit to always return to the Plant Paradox, don’t be surprised if it becomes a habit you never stop doing…