The Forks Over Knives Diet Explained (2024)

The Forks Over Knives Diet was born out of the transformative power that whole-food, plant-based eating can have on health and well-being. It is centered on whole, unrefined, or minimally refined plant foods and excludes or minimizes meat, dairy products, eggs, and highly refined foods such as bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil. Read on for a list of whole foods to eat on a plant-based diet and those to minimize or avoid.

What It Is: A World of Plant Foods

Here's a list of the plant-based food categories from which you'll eat, along with a few examples from each:

What it isn’t: a diet of vegetables only

While leafy vegetables are an important part of a whole-food, plant-based diet, they don't contain enough calories to sustain you. Consider that you would need to eat almost 16 pounds of cookedkaleto get 2,000 calories! Not eating enough calories leads to decreased energy levels, feelings of deprivation, cravings, and even binges. For tasty meal ideas, check out41 Healthy Vegan Recipes That Are Totally Crave-Worthy.

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Starch-based comfort foods and fruits take center stage

The center of your plate will be starch-based comfort foods that people around the world have thrived on for generations: Think potatoes,sweet potatoes,corn, peas, brown rice,quinoa, black beans, kidney beans, andchickpeas.

They may be prepared a bit differently—leaving out oil and dairy, for example—but most of these foods will be familiar. You’ll enjoy them in delicious dishes such asSweet Potato Lasagna,Mashed Potatoes and Gravy,White Bean Burgers,Easy Thai Noodles,Shepherd’s Pot Pie, andBlack Bean and Rice Burritos. In addition to starch-based foods, you can eat as much whole fruit as you like.

No more food math

One of the major advantages of the whole-food, plant-based diet is that you won’t need to count calories or practice portion control. Plant-based foods have a lot more bulk because they contain more fiber and water than foods that make up the standard American diet. This bulk takes up more space, so our stomachs end up stretching sufficiently to shut off hunger signals despite our having consumed fewer calories overall. As such, a whole-food, plant-based diet is the only way to eat tofeel full while also consuming fewer calories.

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No more eating for single nutrients: Focus on the “package”

No food is a single nutrient, and we should never think of foods in that way. What matters most is the overall nutrient profile. Whole plant foods contain all the essential nutrients (with the exception of vitamin B12) in proportions that are more consistent with human needs than animal-based or processed foods.

See Also
The FOK film

Why waste any of what we eat on inferior packages? As long as we choose a variety of whole, plant-based foods over time, we will easily meet our nutritional needs.

Even on this diet, people sometimes tend to worry about eating a certain type of green vegetable forcalcium, beans forprotein, nuts for fat, and so on. We ask you to let go of that kind of thinking. The most important thing in this lifestyle is to choose the whole plant foods you enjoy most!

To learn more about the benefits of whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, and how to make a successful transition, be sure to check out our helpfulBeginner’s Guide.

Load Up On These

Fruits
(bananas, blueberries, oranges, strawberries)

Vegetables
(broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce)

Tubers & starchy vegetables
(potatoes, corn, green peas, winter squash)

Whole grains
(barley, millet, oats, quinoa, wheat berries, brown rice)

Legumes
(black beans, chickpeas, lentils, pinto beans)

Enjoy in Moderation

Whole nuts & seeds, nut/seed butters
(walnuts, pumpkin seeds, tahini, almond butter)

Tofu & tempeh

Whole-grain flours & breads

Plant-based milks
(rice, soy, oat, almond, cashew, hemp milks)

Avoid or Minimize

Meat, poultry & seafood

Eggs

Dairy products

Refined sweeteners

Oils

Bleached flours, white bread & white pasta

White rice

Frequently Asked Questions

MASTER THE ART OF PLANT-BASED COOKING.

The Forks Over Knives online cooking course helps you learn new techniques, flavors, and styles for cooking delicious plant-based, oil-free meals at home.

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The Forks Over Knives Diet Explained (2024)

FAQs

The Forks Over Knives Diet Explained? ›

It is centered on whole, unrefined, or minimally refined plant foods and excludes or minimizes meat, dairy products, eggs, and highly refined foods such as bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil. Read on for a list of whole foods to eat on a plant-based diet and those to minimize or avoid.

What is the Forks Over Knives diet? ›

Colin Campbell, Forks Over Knives claims that many diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, can be prevented and treated by eating a whole-food, plant-based diet, avoiding processed food and food from animals.

What can you drink on the Forks Over Knives diet? ›

We recommend water (on its own, sparkling, fruit-infused) and unsweetened herbal tea (hot or cold).

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can you drink coffee on the Forks Over Knives diet? ›

Coffee can be part of a healthy WFPB diet for most people. Some folks who suffer from anxiety/GI issues/low iron may want to steer clear or limit consumption. Tea is a great beverage to include in your WFPB lifestyle - especially herbal teas.

Can you eat peanut butter on plant-based diet? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

What are examples of plant-based food? ›

This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.

What is the Forks Over Knives meal planner? ›

Forks Meal Planner is a plant-based meal planning tool created by the plant-based experts at Forks Over Knives. Each week, subscribers receive a curated meal plan for the week that includes easy-to-make breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert recipes.

What are examples of whole foods? ›

Whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as oats, brown rice and barley), nuts, beans, fish, shellfish and eggs. Minimally processed foods are foods that are a little processed, such as frozen produce or whole wheat flour.

Can you eat cheese on a plant-based diet? ›

Following a plant-based diet means saying goodbye to all animal products — including lean meat and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.

Is oatmeal part of a plant-based diet? ›

The definition of a plant-based diet can depend on who you ask. Generally, it is an eating style that emphasizes real, whole foods that come from plants, including: Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley, etc.

Is pasta OK on a plant-based diet? ›

Is pasta vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.

Is tuna part of a plant-based diet? ›

People who follow a vegan diet avoid eating animal products, including conventional canned tuna, which is the key ingredient for popular dishes such as tuna melts and tuna salad sandwiches. Here's why cruelty-free and sustainable vegan tuna is a better choice.

How does Forks Over Knives meal planner work? ›

Every week you receive a new meal plan based on family size, intolerances, meal types, and other personal preferences. Swap out recipes by adding your own or browsing our library of 1,450+ whole-food plant-based recipes with ratings and comments to help you find new favorites.

What is the rule for fork and knife after eating? ›

If we want to communicate to the waiter that we have finished the course on the plate and are using two pieces of cutlery, such as fork and knife, according to the English style these should be positioned as if the hands of the clock were at 6:30. Place the handles on the plate and always keep the blade inside.

How long does it take for your gut to adjust to a plant-based diet? ›

Adjusting your body to a plant-based diet might take up to four to six weeks. The time it takes to adjust depends on a variety of factors, including the person's current eating habits, the completeness of the diet change, and the rate at which the change is being implemented.

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