Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plantricious?

Plantricious makes identifying healthy, plant-nutritious prepared and packaged foods easy! The Perception: Plant-based or vegan equals healthy.The Reality: Not all plant-based foods are plant-nutritious.

Why is it important to have a Plantricious certification?

Because it is getting increasingly harder to identify those plant-based foods that are truly healthful.

The Perception: Plant-based equals healthy.
The Reality: Not all plant-based foods are plant-nutritious (healthy)

95% of Americans look for healthy options with 72% finding it difficult to find them.

How were the Plantricious guidelines established?

We consulted the dietary advice of key thought leaders in the plant-based world who advocate plant nutrition for optimal health.

The guidelines are based upon the scientific evidence that supports the benefits of a plant-nutritious diet and identifies traits of those processed and prepared plant-based foods the medical community endorses as nutrient-dense, fiber-filled and disease fighting.

Who helped Plantricious design the guidelines?

We partnered with leading medical experts, including

Michael Greger, M.D. Author of The New York Times Bestseller, "How Not To Die" and "How Not to Diet", Founder of Nutritionfacts.org,
Scott Stoll, M.D., Founding Board Chairman of the Plantrician Project, Co-founder of the PBNHC and
Brenda Davis, RD, Internationally-acclaimed Registered Dietitian, Speaker and author of "Becoming Vegan"

Who else endorses these guidelines?

Over 300 medical and healthcare professionals and health organizations have endorsed the Plantricious Guidelines. Plantricious continuously encourages respected medical experts and organizations to review our guidelines and publicly endorse them.

What are the Certified Plantricious guidelines?

Must be whole food plant-based, contains no animal products
May be minimally processed
No added oil
No added sugars
No artificial additives or preservatives
Sodium (mgs) to Calories ratio, 1 ≤ 1
Total Fiber to Calories, 2g ≥ 100 calories

See Our Guidelines page for more information.

What are the Plantricious Friendly ingredient guidelines?

Must be whole food plant-based, contain no animal products
May be minimally processed
No added oil
No added sugars
No artificial additives or preservatives
See Our Guidelines page for more information.

What is the difference between being Certified Plantricious and being Plantricious Friendly?

Plantricious Friendly foods meet all of the CP Guidelines except for guidelines 6 & 7 for sodium and fiber. The Plantricious Friendly certification was created to identify those foods that may be used as an ingredient or with a Certified Plantricious recipe or food. Plantricious Friendly foods are not intended to be complete meals on their own.

Where can I find the Plantricious seals?

The Plantricious seal can be found on prepared and packaged plant-nutritious foods on shelves and menus. For recipes following the Plantricious guidelines visit us on Pinterest.

Where can I find Plantricious recipes?

Why have a fiber guideline?

Fiber is lacking from our diets with less than 3% of Americans getting the fiber they need. It is recommended that you consume >1.4g of fiber per 100 calories per day. The Certified Plantricious guideline ensures that you get the fiber you need to support gut function and overall health. Learn more:

https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/fiber/
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-the-fiber-theory-wrong/
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/how-fiber-lowers-cholesterol/

Why no added oil?

Oil is liquid fat and, like added sugar, it does not contribute the nutrition you need in a day but can contribute a lot of empty calories. You can get all of the oil you need from whole food sources like nuts, avocados, seeds and olives, which are also complete with fiber and essential nutrients. Learn more:

Save your Endothelial Cells
Olive Oil & Artery Function
Coconut Oil and Cholesterol

Why plants?

Scientific evidence supports a predominantly plant-nutritious diet supports the health of us and our planet. For more information on the research behind a plant-based diet and resources, click on the following organizations to learn more:

American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Plantrician Project
The Vegetarian Resource Group

Are Plantricious foods vegan?

Yes, all Plantricious Foods are vegan but not all vegan foods are Plantricious. The Plantricious certifications are meant to make it easier to identify those plant-based foods that are made with minimally processed whole plants, contain no added oils or sugars, keep sodium in check and provide fiber.

What is Plantricious' stance on "added sugar"?

Plantricious would like to reinforce the use of whole plant ingredients
to add sweetness to foods which also brings along essential nutrition
you would expect from plants. Ingredients added to food that are
deemed added sugars bring nothing but empty calories. It will take
some time and creativity, but there are amazing solutions today to
sweeten food without the use of added sugars.

What qualifies as "added sugar"?

The Plantricious 'added sugar requirements are based on the FDA
definition of "added sugar".

How does the FDA define "added sugars"?

The definition of added sugars includes sugars that are either
added during the processing of foods, or are packaged as
such, and include sugars (free, mono- and disaccharides),
sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from concentrated
fruit or vegetable juices that are in excess of what would be
expected from the same volume of 100 percent fruit or
vegetable juice of the same type. The definition excludes fruit
or vegetable juice concentrated from 100 percent fruit juice
that is sold to consumers (e.g. frozen 100 percent fruit juice
concentrate) as well as some sugars found in fruit and
vegetable juices, jellies, jams, preserves, and fruit spreads.
However, although they are still “added sugars,” single-
ingredient sugars such as pure honey, maple syrup, and a
bag of sugar, have different labeling requirements from other
added sugars.

For industry and those interested in the more technical
version of the definition, please consult page 33980 of the
Nutrition Facts Label Final Rule.

Are products labeled date syrup or date sugar considered "added sugar"?

Yes, any product that meets the FDA standard of identity for syrup or
sugar is considered an "added sugar" under the FDA regulations. Date paste is not considered "added sugar" and is acceptable within the Plantricious guidelines.

Is date paste considered "added sugar"?

No. Date paste is a dehydrated version of dates and maintains the
fiber and other nutritional content to qualify as a naturally occurring sugar.

If date syrup, honey and maple syrup packages are labeled as no "added sugar", why is it an added sugar under the Plantricious certification?

Date syrup, maple syrup and honey on its own are not added sugars. These ingredients are commonly used to add sweetness to a form, and in this concentrated format are defined as added sugar when used in a recipe according to the FDA.

Is fruit juice an "added sugar"?

Yes and no. While 100% fruit juice is not considered an added sugar, fruit juice concentrate is considered an added sugar.