Have you considered going vegan, but are wondering if you could maintain it?
People choose to go vegan for a variety of personal, health, and social reasons. Some people see veganism as the environmentally conscious way to eat and protect the planet. Other people choose veganism because of horrible farming practices and animal abuses. Then there are others who choose to go vegan for health reasons, either because their doctor told them it was necessary or they have heard about all of the positive benefits to be obtain from a plant-based diet.
While the reasons for choosing to be vegan or vegetarian are valid, it is perhaps that health reasons that help people to sustain the lifestyle over time. After all, we know the saying “We are nothing without our health.â€
Higher Nutritional Value
When you decide to eat vegan, this means that you are committed to not eating any animal products. This includes beef, chicken, and fish. It also means not eating foods that come from animals like eggs, milk, and even honey. The point of being vegan is to not rely on animals whatsoever, not their bodies or their production.
When you stop eating these foods, you have choices for replacements. If you choose things like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and natural oils, you will have higher nutritional value than when you were a meat-eater. The only supplement you will need to take will be B-12 unless you eat something like nutritional yeast with a few meals or eat a fortified cereal.
Scientists who tracked vegan diet nutrition versus traditional diets found vegan diets were higher in things like fiber, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and potassium and magnesium. They also have higher levels of antioxidants.
Still, there are certainly vegans who have horrible nutrition. Vegans who eat a lot of fast food, processed food, cakes, and candies will definitely have poor overall health. So, it’s important to know vegan doesn’t automatically mean healthier. You still have to make good choices.
Increased Energy
A healthy, balanced vegan diet can help you to have more energy because you will not be bloated and weighed down with sugar, trans fats, and saturated fats. Many people equate protein with energy and think that they have to eat a lot of meat to have more bounce in their step. What they don’t know is that they can get a lot of protein from plant-based options like soy, beans, and broccoli.
If you are worried about getting enough protein, you can opt for a plant-based protein shake from a company such as Isagenix. They have IsaLean shakes which provide 24 grams of protein per serving. For more easy ways to boost energy, you can add a natural peanut butter protein powder or a fortified nut-based milk to your shakes as well.
Vegan Eating Can Help You Lose Weight
Scientists have shown that vegans have lower body mass indexes (BMI) and carry less weight than those who eat traditional diets. Again, this comes down to still making the right choices. Some vegans eat a lot of pastas and breads and find it difficult to lose weight until they cut back on carbohydrates. Other vegans have no problem maintaining their weight and having all of the whole grains, bread, and pasta they want. You have to see what will work for you and your metabolism. Still, there is strong evidence that, overall, a vegan diet will help you with weight loss, energy, and obtaining the proper nutrients when it is done correctly.
