The Ultimate Guide to Convincing Your Spouse to Try a Plant-Based Diet for Better Health

Convincing your spouse, partner, or family member to switch to a plant-based diet can be a challenging task, especially if they are a major meat-eater and are set in their ways. However, if your spouse's health is deteriorating due to high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes, a plant-based diet can be a game-changer.

Fortunately a few little tips and tricks can help you encourage your spouse to try a plant-based diet, even if they are resistant to change. With the right approach, patience, and a little bit of creativity, you can help your spouse improve their health and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

There are several reasons why your significant other may be resistant to change:

Fear of Change: Your spouse may be hesitant to try something new, especially if they have been eating meat for a long time and are used to the taste and texture.

Lack of Knowledge: Your spouse may not know much about plant-based diets and may be skeptical about their ability to provide the necessary nutrients.

Taste Preferences: Meat has a strong flavor, and some people may be hesitant to give it up because they enjoy the taste.

Social Stigma: Plant-based diets may be viewed as unusual or extreme, and your spouse may be worried about what others will think of them.

Concerns About Convenience: Your spouse may believe that a plant-based diet is too time-consuming or requires too much preparation, and may be resistant to making the change.

Weight Concerns: Some people may be concerned that a plant-based diet will lead to weight gain or may not provide enough protein for their needs.

Fear of Giving Up Favorite Foods: If your spouse has a strong attachment to certain meat-based dishes, they may be resistant to giving them up.

Health Concerns: Your spouse may believe that a plant-based diet is not healthy, especially if they have not been exposed to accurate information about the benefits of this type of diet.

The Direct Route

Having an open and honest conversation with your partner about changing their diet to improve their health can be a delicate process, but with the right approach, it can be done effectively. Here are some tips to help you have a productive conversation:

Start with the Why: Explain to your spouse why you think it's important for them to change their diet, and focus on the health benefits. Use specific examples and data to support your case.

Show Empathy and Respect: Acknowledge your spouse's feelings and concerns about changing their diet, and be respectful of their opinions.

Involve Your Spouse in the Process: Encourage your spouse to take an active role in the transition, by researching healthy plant-based recipes, trying new foods, and setting goals together.

Make it a Team Effort: Let your spouse know that you're there to support them and that you'll work together to make the transition as easy as possible.

Be Patient and Understanding: Changing a lifetime of eating habits can be a slow process, so be patient and don't pressure your spouse to change too quickly.

Find Common Ground: Highlight the things that you both agree on, such as wanting to improve health and prevent future health problems.

Celebrate Small Successes: Encourage your spouse by recognizing and celebrating the small changes they make, such as trying a new vegetable or cutting down on meat.

Remember to approach the conversation with kindness, patience, and an open mind, and to keep the focus on improving health rather than changing personal habits.

Easy Substitutions for Family Favorites

Whether pizza, chili, or even loaded-up potato skins are the go-to favorites, just a few simple replacements can transform a high fat, high sodium, potentially artery-busting sugary meal into a heart-healthy dish without losing any of the taste.

Plant-Based Whole Wheat Pizza - Instead of going the traditional frozen or take-out route, grab a crust made with whole wheat, naturally sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. Then top it with a low-sugar, low sodium sauce and plenty of your favorite veggies.

Plant-Based, Low Sodium Chili - Instead of ground beef and oil and a sugary chili sauce, switch out for a hearty plant-based chili or satisfying stew.

Low-Sugar Cereal - Even some of the previously-thought to be healthy cereals are no longer considered to be so by the American Heart Association, so grab a fiber-fueled breakfast made with whole grains and has no added sugar instead.

Make Pancakes and Waffles - Few can resist the joy that comes from a piping hot stack of fluffy pancakes. PLANTSTRONG pancakes are whole grain and free from oil, eggs, and refined sugar.

When All Else Fails, Go the Ninja Route

Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet your spouse’s diet may be easier than you think. In fact, he or she doesn’t have to even know you are doing this as a covert operation!

Incorporate Fruits and Vegetables into Familiar Foods: Try adding grated carrots or zucchini to meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, or chili. Or blend fruits into smoothies or add them to pancake or waffle batter.

Create Colorful and Attractive Plate Presentations: Make fruits and vegetables the center of attention on your spouse's plate, arranging them in an eye-catching manner.

Introduce New and Exciting Recipes: Experiment with different plant-based recipes, and encourage your spouse to try them.

Offer Fruits and Vegetables as Snacks: Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter or cut-up veggies in the refrigerator for easy snacking.

Make Fruits and Vegetables More Convenient: Pre-cut fruits and vegetables and store them in clear containers in the refrigerator for quick and easy access.

Be a Good Role Model: Lead by example and make sure you're incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your own diet.

Use Hidden Veggies: Try adding pureed veggies to soups, sauces, and stews to add extra nutrients without changing the taste.

Make a Game Out of It: Challenge your spouse to try a new fruit or vegetable every week or create a fun competition to see who can eat the most produce.

Get Creative with Dips: Offer a variety of dips, such as hummus, salsa, or guacamole, to make veggies more appealing.

Make Desserts with Fruits: Bake fruit-based desserts, like fruit crisp or baked apples, to satisfy your spouse's sweet tooth while incorporating more fruits into their diet.