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Switching to a Plant-Based Diet

  • Tobi Coughlin
  • Aug 9, 2023
  • 2 min read

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a “green tip” to our readers in each newspaper. This edition’s tip was written by Certified Life and Weight Loss Coach Tobi Coughlin, a member of the Resilient Palisades Plant Based Solutions Team.


Switching to a plant-based diet can be easier than you think.


It’s common to think going vegan is hard, perhaps even too hard. When one envisions it being difficult to eat out or give up favorite foods, it can feel like a mountain too big to climb.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.


Here’s what’s fascinating—it’s actually the belief that it’s hard that makes the change difficult.

You may be familiar with the quote: “If you think you can or you think you can’t … you’re right.” Beyond being an old saying, there is actual behavioral science that backs up the concept.

The reticular activating system in our brain stem is one of the science-based explanations. This particular system helps us focus on what’s most important.


Interestingly, our brain considers whatever we’re thinking about to be of utmost importance. It’s as if the sentences in our head are giving the brain an assignment.


Have you ever noticed when you’re shopping for a car, you start seeing the make and model you’re considering everywhere? In commercials, on the road, in parking lots …

That’s this system at work.


In this same manner, anyone considering going vegan while believing the change would be hard is setting their own brain on a mission to bring every single example of difficulty to their attention.

Here’s the kicker: Not only does the brain highlight challenges, it also blocks our ability to see examples of it being easy. It’s less likely what would pop into our mind is the fact that more and more restaurants are catering to vegan needs. We’d also likely be less creative in problem solving—thinking, for example, about the many organizations available to support you, including the Plant Based Solutions Team of Resilient Palisades.


The good news is that you can use this same reticular activating system to make change less of a struggle. The simplest way to do that is to just ask yourself the most powerful question of all: How can I make this easy?


Know that if you want to change, you can. Enlist mindset-based strategies like this one and you’ll be surprised to find it’s a lot easier than you think. For more information on plant-based eating:


 
 
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