What no one tells you about going plant-based (and why I created a coaching program to help)

On paper, eating more plant-based sounds pretty simple.

Eat more plants... fruits, vegetables, whole grains.

Eat less of all the other stuff... meat, dairy, processed foods.

Easy, right?

But when it comes to actually making the switch, it just never quite seems to happen. Because in reality, it's not that simple.

Switching to a plant-based diet isn’t just about changing what you eat—it’s about understanding (and sometimes changing) your relationship with food so you feel confident in your plant-based choices. 

What you’ve been eating since you were a kid is interwoven into your life in ways you never even realized… from the candy you used to steal out of the kids’ Halloween haul after they went to bed (#MomTax) to your favorite family holiday recipes. 

So while swapping out lentils for ground beef in your spaghetti sauce or tofu for diced chicken in your stir fry sounds simple enough, there’s likely a lot more going on under the surface than you are even aware of.

And that’s exactly why I created Plant-Based Enough—my 12-week 1:1 coaching program designed to help you lose the overwhelm, get to the bottom of what’s keeping you stuck, and start confidently eating more plants. 

I want to share not only what inspired this program, but how it helps people just like you make plant-based choices that align with how they want to feel: energized, empowered, and at peace with food.

⬇️ Let’s start at the beginning.

How I realized eating more plant-based wasn’t just about what’s on your plate 🤯

In February 2020, my husband and I decided to go all in on a whole food plant-based diet… with  absolutely no support other than each other. (You can read about what brought us to that crossroads here.)

I relied entirely on books and documentaries, trial and error, and lurking in an online Facebook group (that I was too scared to actually post in) to figure it out. I definitely didn’t have anyone to guide me or talk me off the ledge when the thought of chopping one more piece of butternut squash made me want to throw it all in trash and order pizza. 

The longer we ate plant-based, the more I knew I wanted to help others make this change—and be that support system I wished I’d had. I just wasn’t exactly sure how to go about doing it.

🔎 But it all started to come into focus when I enrolled in a coaching program myself. 

There were some changes I’d been wanting to make, but apparently the “just try harder” and “you just need more willpower” strategies I’d been trying (for years, mind you!) just weren’t cutting it.  

So, I did the thing I swore I’d never do… I signed up for a coaching program.

And dammit... it actually worked.

I knew what I needed to do… that wasn’t the problem. It was the how. 

I needed someone to ask me the hard questions... and encourage me to actually get super honest about the answers.

I needed someone to hold me accountable to actually follow through on the things I genuinely did want... but didn't know how to go about doing them.

I needed to know I had a safe space to go to ask questions and get support when it all just felt hard.

And once I had all of that, and really took an honest look at all the stuff underneath that was keeping me stuck—the self-doubt, the stories I kept telling myself, the automatic “ugh, I can’t do this” thoughts—everything started to click.

And I have a very vivid memory of the first time I realized it was working. 

It was a situation I’d been in countless times, and in the past, I would have fallen right back into my old ways. My brain was telling me it would just be easier to hit the F-It button and try again tomorrow.

But instead, I paused. I recognized that what was happening was just a thought, and my brain was just trying to take the easy way out… and I moved on. 

🎯 And that’s when it hit me: THIS! THIS is what makes the difference. 

When we work on the underlying feelings and beliefs behind our habits, everything shifts. That was my lightbulb 💡 moment—and I knew this was how I was going to help people stop just thinking about eating more plants and actually start eating them.

Why making this transition feels hard (and why Plant-Based Enough helps) 😬

Even if you are convinced switching to a plant-based diet is exactly what you need and want to do, in reality it can be a whole lot harder than expected. And that’s totally normal!

Most of us think it’s about the food, and while obviously that matters, it’s not just about what’s on your plate.  It’s about changing the way you've been doing something your entire life, knowing what to do when you're out with friends and there's nothing vegan on the menu, and learning to trust that even if you screw up sometimes, you can still do this.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure of how to get started, here’s why it’s not your fault—and why there is absolutely a version of plant-based out there that will work fo you.

1. You’re doing this alone (and it can feel isolating). 

Changing the way you’ve eaten for most of your life is a big shift, and without support, it can feel even more challenging. If your family or partner isn’t making the same changes, you might feel like to have make two separate meals, or like you’re constantly having to justify your choices. 

Maybe you’re met with skepticism, unsolicited advice, or even criticism from people who don’t understand why this matters to you. Having to deal with that (or even just worrying that you might) can be exhausting and make you second-guess yourself, but the truth is, all of that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. 

And it doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It just means you need some help.🙋🏻‍♀️

2. Old habits are hard to break.

Food isn’t just fuel for your body. It’s woven into your daily routines, emotions, and cultural traditions. The meals you grew up with, the comfort foods you reach for on tough days, and the habits you don’t even think about are all part of a lifelong relationship with food. 

That’s why making a plant-based change isn’t just about choosing different ingredients—it’s about shifting the way you think, plan, and connect with what’s on your plate. And if you’ve ever found yourself instinctively craving an old favorite, even when you intended to make a healthier, plant-based choice, you’re not alone. 

It still happens to me on occasion.

When my mom died, alllll I wanted was cinnamon toast and grilled cheese. It was the only thing that sounded good to me, and I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but in retrospect, it makes total sense. Those are things my mom used to make me all the time as a kid, and in that moment, it made me feel more connected to her. 💔

Shifting deep-rooted beliefs and changing lifelong habits takes time and patience, but with the right approach and support, new routines can become just as familiar and comforting.

[And in case you’re wondering, I did eat the grilled cheese and the cinnamon toast. And then jumped right back on the plant-based wagon.]

3. You’re worried you’ll “fail” (because it’s happened before). 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess this isn’t your first attempt at making healthier choices. You’ve started with good intentions before, only to have stress, social events, or the chaos of daily life throw you off track. And the fear of repeating that cycle—of trying, struggling, and ultimately feeling like you’ve failed—can be enough to make you give up before you even get started. 

All of this coming up at the beginning doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. It’s just part of the process. The more you learn, and the more those underlying thoughts and feelings about food start to shift, the more confident you’ll become in your plant-based choices.

Every single person who has successfully transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle has faced these same struggles. There’s no medal for being perfect, and no cash prizes for having ironclad willpower.

That’s why Plant-Based Enough is not about meal plans and food lists. 

We tackle the real roadblocks—what's going on underneath the food, your habits, and confidence (or lack thereof)—so that you build a strong foundation for lasting plant-based change. It’s a process that involves shifting the way you think about food, learning how to navigate the ups and downs, and having the right support along the way.

Why I’m so passionate about helping people make this change 🙌🏻

Before I started down this path myself, there was nothing anyone could have said or done to convince me that changing the way I ate could change my life so drastically. 

Before I enrolled in the coaching program I mentioned earlier, I was super skeptical that all this mindset stuff could actually lead to actual, noticeable change in the way I showed up in the world. 

🧐 I was the quintessential skeptic. 

But that February 2020 decision to trust that a plant-based diet was the best thing for my health literally changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.

And now I want to help you change yours.

Like with anything new, it won’t happen overnight. It takes time for your new habits to feel as familiar as your old ones once did. But if you put in the work, it WILL happen. 

And when it does? *Chef’s kiss*

Yes, you’ll be eating more plants, which is what you set out to do, but more importantly:

✅ You’ll feel more confident. In your food choices, in meal planning, in social situations, and in your ability to stick with it for the long haul. You’ll know exactly what works for you and be able to navigate any situation with ease.

✅ You’ll find freedom from the all-or-nothing mindset. One non-plant-based meal won’t feel like a failure. You’ll be able to give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned and bounce back easily without guilt, anchored in the belief that progress matters more than perfection.

✅ You’ll be proud of yourself. So many people say they’re going to do this, but never really get to where they want to be. Knowing you committed to making this change and putting in the work to actually make it happen will be a huge sense of pride, which will help keep you motivated moving forward.

✅ You will feel better overall. As if all the positive mindset changes aren’t enough, you’ll start noticing positive physical benefits! You’ll get better sleep, feel more energized, and most importantly, feel more in tune with what fuels you best than you’ve ever felt before.

And the best part? ALL of these shifts carry over into other parts of your life. 

Making this change isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about stepping into a version of yourself that feels stronger, more confident, and more aligned with the life you want to live.

I know firsthand how powerful that transformation can be, and that’s exactly why I’m so passionate about helping others experience it for themselves. 

WhyPlant-Based Enough is Different

There’s no shortage of plant-based programs out there, but most of them hand you a list of foods, a meal plan, or a set of rules and expect you to just make it work. 

NEWSFLASH: Real, lasting change doesn’t happen that way. 

Plant-Based Enough is different because it’s completely personalized—with the real challenges you face in mind—to help you create a plant-based lifestyle that actually fits you.

Here’s why it works:

1. It’s built for real life, not perfection. 🤩

You don’t need more food lists—you need a way of eating that works in the context of your busy life—and Plant-Based Enough is all about being practical and realistic. That's why "Real life first" is the first pillar of my REAL Approach to plant-based eating.

It doesn’t matter how great a plan looks on paper, if you aren’t able to actually follow through in your daily life, it’s useless. We work together to create a customized (and easily adaptable) plan that keeps you moving toward your plant-based goals without adding to your mental load. 

2. You will never have to feel like you’re doing this alone. 🤗

Big changes don’t happen in a vacuum, and let’s be honest – our routines get disrupted more often than not. That’s why accountability is baked into this program from day one.

I won’t follow you around knocking cookies out of your hand, but I will be there to help you navigate the process every step of the way. You will have a support system that keeps you motivated, helps you troubleshoot challenges in real time, and gives you the encouragement you need to keep going—even when things don’t go perfectly. 

3. I’ve Been Where You Are 🙋🏻‍♀️

I was 47 years old when I made this change. And I did it while working a full time teaching job, raising a family, juggling responsibilities, and worrying about the same things you probably are. I know how overwhelming it can feel to balance real life while making major changes, and I also know what actually works.

That’s why this program helps you shift those mindsets and gain clarity about what matters most to you, so you can build a plant-based lifestyle that fits your needs, instead of forcing you to fit yourself into a rigid set of rules.

Because when plant-based eating stops feeling like something you have to think about and starts feeling like something you just do, the sky's the limit.

The future of plant-based eating (and why now is the time to start)

Plant-based eating is becoming more mainstream every day, and a quick trip to the local grocery store will reveal many more plant-based options than there were even ten years ago. Plant-based foods have become a $40+ billion industry, and that number is expected to more than double by 2030. 

The science evidence supporting the health benefits of this way of eating continues to grow, and the USDA is rumored to be recommending an emphasis on plant-based vs. animal proteins in the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA)*. 🥳

As awareness grows, more people will be looking to make the shift, but they’ll need guidance and support to do it in a way that’s truly sustainable.

Plant-Based Enough does just that, providing the practical tools, the mindset work, and the support that make all the difference in successfully making the transition.

Why not get ahead of the curve and start now?

Are you ready to finally start eating more plants?

If you’re tired of just thinking about going plant-based and are ready to actually do it—with confidence, support, and a personalized approach—Plant-Based Enough is for you.

➡️ Apply today and take the first step toward lasting plant-based change.

Not ready for coaching yet? No problem! Join my email list for plant-based tips, recipes, and insights to help you start making small shifts today.

*This post was written in July 2025, before the official new guidelines were released. At the time it was published, this was what the USDA was recommending for the 2025-2030 guidelines, and the science is still out there to support all the health benefits of a plant-based diet. If you have questions about anything specific regarding this research, please email me at hello@theplantifiedplate.com and I will point you toward the appropriate resources.