Setting SMART Goals with Eating Plant-Based for Disease Prevention

Eating a plant-based diet is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are recognizing the health benefits associated with it. Plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. For those looking to make the switch to a plant-based diet, setting SMART goals can help ensure success. 

SMART stands for:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Time-bound.

  These five criteria can help you create effective goals that will help you reach your desired outcome. 

The first step in setting SMART goals is to be specific. When it comes to eating plant-based for disease prevention, you need to be clear about what you want to achieve. Do you want to reduce your risk of heart disease? Do you want to lower your cholesterol levels? Do you want to lose weight? Being specific about your goal will help you stay focused and motivated. 

The next step is to make sure your goal is measurable. This means that you should be able to track your progress and measure your success. For example, if your goal is to reduce your risk of heart disease, you could measure this by tracking your cholesterol levels or blood pressure over time. Your goal should also be achievable. This means that it should be realistic and attainable given your current lifestyle and resources. For example, if you’re currently eating a lot of processed foods and fast food, it may not be realistic to expect yourself to go completely plant-based overnight. Instead, start by making small changes such as replacing one processed food item with a plant-based alternative each week. 

Your goal should also be relevant. This means that it should be meaningful and important to you. If you’re not passionate about eating plant-based for disease prevention, it’s unlikely that you’ll stick with it in the long run. 

Finally, your goal should be time-bound. This means that you should set a timeline for when you want to achieve your goal. For example, if your goal is to reduce your risk of heart disease, set a timeline for when you want to see results (e.g., within six months). 

For example, a SMART goal might be: "Increase daily water intake by 8 oz/day increasing total intake to 80 oz/day within the next month, using reminders and a water bottle" This goal is specific (increase water by 8 oz/day), measurable (baseline measure of 72 oz and goal of 8 more oz), attainable (increasing by what feels like a doable amount), relevant (increase hydration), and time-bound (within the next month).

Here is a blank printable for you to start your own SMART goals!!