Is veganism and vegetarianism the same? Is Veganism expensive? Veganism: It’s all about tofu and grains. When it comes to switching your lifestyle, you’ll find yourself believing all sorts of myths which need to be debunked. Vegan lifestyle starts by adopting a vegan diet, which is also known as a plant-based diet. The vegan diet has gained some serious popularity as there is an attempt to achieve environmental sustainability. Also, a vegan diet goes a step further than just being “meat-free.”
If you refrain from using animal products, be it food, clothing or any other purpose, then your vibes are vegan. A vegan lifestyle includes a vegan diet, reducing the environmental impact on animals and doing no harm to them. When you’re switching to veganism, it’s essential to be an educated consumer so that with every penny you spend; you’re supporting something you genuinely stand for.
Here are some benefits of the vegan lifestyle:
- Better Health
A well planned vegan diet includes fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and fibre. Following a vegan diet is particularly beneficial to the heart’s health to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. It is observed that one-third of cancers can be within control if you follow a particular diet. The vegan diet generally includes soy products, which might offer protection against breast cancer. If you have diabetes, a healthy vegan diet will help you in managing your blood sugar better. For those with type 2 diabetes, a vegan diet can control your glucose levels better than other diabetes diets. It’s advisable to talk to your doctor before making any change in your diet.
2. Improved Mood
When you follow a vegan diet, you will start consuming a higher level of vitamins and nutrients which will help you combat illness. When you’re ill, you tend to feel lazy and miserable; a vegan diet enables you to prevent it. Vitamins such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B lead to lower stress levels which leads to a drop in anxiety too. We all are aware of the fact that lack of sleep leads to a bad mood. Thus, due to the increased consumption of vitamins, you will have a regulated and effective sleep cycle.
3. Rich in Nutrients
People who follow a vegan diet tend to consume more fibre, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. A plant-based diet includes a higher intake of nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains, nuts and seeds. Although not every vegan diet is healthy and rich in whole foods. Thus, it is essential to stay away from low nutrient foods and vegan fast-food options. Stick to the vegan diet, which includes nutrient-rich plants and fortified foods.
4. Achieve Healthy Body Weight
A vegan diet eliminates foods which have higher levels of fat, cholesterol, calories and saturated fat. Thus, it helps people to eat fresh, whole foods which tend to be lower in calories. The following foods can be included in a vegan diet for weight loss:
- Soy, quinoa and tempeh – Vegan sources of protein
- Soy and almond – Rich in vitamin D
- Nuts and seeds – High in Omega 3-fatty acids
5. Fall In Love with Food
There’s no need to remain hungry when you’re on a plant-based diet. Everything that you ate and loved as a non-vegan, you can cook or even buy the animal-free version. You can have Vegan Mayo, the best thing that can go on every salad, burger or if you’re crazy enough, just have it plain. No one can have enough of Vegan Mayo. If you’re craving for noodles, you can try the vegan Chinese noodles to satisfy your chow mein cravings. On days, when you’re missing the meaty flavour in your dishes, you can add the Vegan Worcestershire Sauce in the gravy or the lentils. Don’t worry; the sauce is fish-free.
Surrounding yourself with like-minded and supportive people is the greatest way to remain motivated in your vegan journey. Remember, it always starts with, “I can never go vegan”. It’s the first step that matters. The vegan lifestyle is something you should be fully committed to, as its more than just a usual fad.
There are endless vegan dishes that you can try out! If you’re looking for some mouth-watering vegan recipes, check out Absolutely Delicious Recipes That You won’t Believe Are Vegan
