Whole food plant- based nutrition

A whole food plant-based (WFPB) eating pattern is a versatile, exciting, and enjoyable way to eat. It centres on unprocessed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans and other legumes. Other whole or minimally processed plant-based foods are used as occasional condiments. 

Defining WFPB

A whole food plant-based (WFPB) eating pattern avoids meats, dairy products, and eggs and minimises refined and processed foods such as added salt, oil and sugar – sometimes described as a ‘no SOS’ approach. This way of eating provides an abundance of antioxidants, phytonutrients, fibre, and numerous other health promoting substances that can be prepared and seasoned with herbs and spices to create an abundant variety of vibrant dishes with flavours from around the world.

Not only does a WFPB approach provide an exciting and unique opportunity to prevent, reverse, or significantly reduce the disability caused by a wide range of diseases, it’s also the greatest move we can take as individuals to protect and improve the health of our planet.

The Doctors For Nutrition Healthy Food Guide graphic below provides a visual overview of the food groups and frequency of consumption that make up a healthy plant-based diet:

Learn more

For further details explaining the practicalities and proven benefits of a whole food plant-based eating pattern, we recommend the following articles from our blog: 

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• What is WFPB? by DFN GP Resources Advisor, Dr Malcolm Mackay

• ‘Eat Whole Foods, Mostly Plant-Based’: What Does This Actually Mean? by DFN Board director and GP, Dr Luke Wilson 

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For everyone

If you would like to learn more about going plant-based for your health, we are here to help! Get your quick guide to 'Going plant-based' and further supporting resources here.

For health professionals

Doctors For Nutrition offers a range of guidance and resources to help clinicians incorporate evidence-based nutritional approaches into their patient care. Access your toolkit here.