Don’t Let Food Sensitivities Stop You From Going Plant-Based

I was at the International Conference for Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM) this past week, and the food was absolutely amazing! It’s one of the few places where I don’t have to ask about ingredients because I know everything is vegan, oil-free, salt-free, and sugar-free.

But there is one food I’m sensitive to: beets. My stomach flips out if I eat them. The funny thing is, I love beets—but my stomach hates them.

I made the mistake of having a sample of beet juice the other day, and a few hours later, the stomach discomfort began. Thankfully, I felt fine a few hours after that, but I bring this up for a reason.

We all have food sensitivities. My friend Suzanne, for example, can’t eat avocado or asparagus—two foods I love. But anyone can make a plant-based diet work, regardless of what foods they can’t eat.

Plus, many foods are things your gut can become accustomed to over time, such as beans. So many people say they can’t eat beans because they cause digestive discomfort. But I’m willing to bet that if they started slowly, eating just a few beans a day and gradually increasing the amount, their bodies might become more accustomed to them.

Don’t let food sensitivities—or one food—stop you from going plant-based. With the thousands of varieties of plant foods available, you’re guaranteed to find plenty of foods you enjoy.

There are so many delicious options out there. You just have to find what works for you!