High-Raw Plant-Based: Because You Should Be, Not Because It "Sounds" Healthy

In today’s perpetually digital world, where influencers play a major role in shaping trends, it’s easy to get caught up in lifestyle choices that sound good on paper but may not serve your long-term health and well-being. Both ends of the spectrum are filled with noise—from influencers promoting meat-based, almost fruit and vegetable-free diets, to “plant-based” influencers who seem more concerned with being seen at trendy restaurants than understanding the health benefits of true plant-based living.

At The Plant Five, we believe there’s a deeper reason to embrace a high-raw plant-based lifestyle—one rooted in authentic, science-backed results, not the look of our feed, status, or association with trends.

The Meat-Heavy Influencer Movement

A growing number of influencers have taken to promoting extreme meat-based diets that boast almost no fruits or vegetables. These diets, carnivore or keto, etc. are often pushed as the ultimate solution to weight loss, energy optimization, and mental clarity, and are almost always associated with some form of genetic conversation. What these influencers rarely highlight, however, is the scientific evidence linking diets high in animal products to chronic conditions like heart disease and certain cancers. While these diets may produce short-term results, long-term health outcomes tell a different story.

Studies consistently show that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are linked to better overall health, improved digestion, and longer life expectancy. By focusing on meat while sidelining the vital benefits of plant matter, these influencers push a narrow narrative that’s ultimately damaging. It’s important to recognize that these meat-heavy diets often lack essential nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants only found in plant materials.

The Glyphosate Factor: Addressing a Common Meat-Influencer Talking Point

One of the most common talking points from influencers who advocate meat-heavy diets is the issue of glyphosates and harmful chemicals used in conventional crop farming. They often argue that eating plants exposes you to these toxins and therefore claim that a meat-based diet is safer. But this argument overlooks a critical point: while our treatment of soil and crops is indeed important, the solution isn't to double down on meat consumption—it's to reverse course and eliminate harmful chemicals from our agricultural systems.

Yes, glyphosates have caused widespread harm to the environment and human health, but the real path forward lies in transforming how we grow our produce. By focusing on organic and regenerative farming practices we can eliminate the need for chemical herbicides, enriching the soil and reducing our exposure to these toxins. In contrast, the reliance on meat agriculture continues to contribute to environmental devastation through deforestation, excessive water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Instead of promoting a meat-heavy diet to escape the flaws in conventional crop production, we should be aiming to fix those flaws. Shifting toward sustainable, organic plant-based farming practices will bring mutual benefits that do far more than continuing to rely on animal agriculture, which has its own devastating impact. The true solution isn’t choosing meat over plants—it’s growing plants better.

You Can't Supplement Your Way Around Your Fork

Another focus in the meat-heavy-driven world is that any nutritional gaps can be patched up with supplements. While it’s true that supplements can help fill specific voids in a diet, relying on them to compensate for a diet rich in meat and low in fruits and vegetables is a flawed strategy. You can’t simply flood your liver with an alchemy of tablets and powders daily and expect to maintain long-term health. Real nutrition comes from real food, not from pills.

Instead of trying to supplement your way around your fork, it’s far more effective to adopt a high-raw, plant-based lifestyle that provides nutrients in their most natural and bioavailable form. Whole foods—rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients—are what your body craves to thrive. By relying on supplements to “fix” a poor diet, you're ignoring the broader picture of health, one that focuses on nourishment from the inside out, starting with what’s on your plate.

Choosing whole, plant-based foods allows your body to absorb the full range of nutrients without overburdening your system with synthetic alternatives.

The “Plant-Based” Influencer Paradox

On the other end of the spectrum, some influencers promote “plant-based” lifestyles, for everything other than the health element. For them, being plant-based is more about being part of the experiences, brands, and trends. These influencers are often seen dining at the latest vegan hotspots, pushing expensive products, and showcasing trendy alternatives just as processed as conventional junk food.

The plant-based movement has become commercialized, with products and restaurant experiences taking center stage over the true essence of plant-based living: nourishment from whole, natural foods. Instead of focusing on a high-raw plant-based lifestyle that prioritizes nutrient density, simplicity, and well-being, this group tends to focus on "vegan for the animals (not my health)" and associations with popular brands.

Whether it’s a $15 green smoothie or a fancy faux-meat burger, the emphasis is on what looks good in the feed and sensory experiences rather than what’s genuinely beneficial for the body.

Cutting Through the Noise

In both cases—whether meat-heavy influencers touting a fruit and vegetable-free life or plant-based influencers obsessed with trends—the common thread is a focus on image and preferred experiences rather than substance. The wellness industry has been flooded with influencers more concerned with appearances than long-term health. As consumers of digital content, it’s important to cut through the noise and return to what truly matters: your health.

A high-raw plant-based lifestyle focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, rich in the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes your body needs to thrive. Unlike trendy vegan junk food, or extreme meat-based diets that disregard the need for plant nutrients, high-raw living offers a balanced, scientifically-backed approach to real, sustainable health.

Why High-Raw Matters

The science is clear: diets high in fruits, vegetables, and other raw plant foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. A high-raw plant-based lifestyle supports your body’s natural detoxification processes, enhances digestion, and provides the antioxidants and phytonutrients necessary to combat inflammation and oxidative stress.

While influencers may try to convince you that either extreme—cutting out fruits and vegetables entirely or focusing on plant-based “products”—is the way to go, it’s important to return to the basics. Real food. Whole food. The food that supports your body at its core.

At The Plant Five, we emphasize simplicity, authenticity, and real nourishment. A high-raw plant-based lifestyle isn’t about looking good for the gram or being part of a trend. It’s about making informed, science-based decisions that support your long-term health.

Influencers Shouldn’t Dictate Your Health

While influencers cultivate inspiration, they should never be the sole reason for making any choice but 100% not your health choices. As you navigate the ever-changing landscape of wellness trends, ask yourself: Is this lifestyle decision serving my health and others, or am I just following the crowd?

Choose high-raw because it is healthy, not because it sounds healthy. Avoid the noise, resist the extremes (especially when you see me on my next personal food experiment lol), and focus on what truly matters—fueling your body with the best of what nature offers.