The Vegan Diet Lifestyle
There are many benefits to following the vegan diet. A lot of people try it out, and then they never go back! A diet that consists of only plant-based foods with no animal products will improve your health, not worsen it. You will be in for a pleasant surprise at how much energy you feel overall. Doctors all around the world now agree that being vegan is far better for your health than consuming meat on a daily basis. Hence, it’s safe to say that following this diet is more sustainable in reducing damage to the planet and better for you and those less fortunate animals who will no longer have to suffer in their factory farms.
What Vegans Eat
Veganism finds its origins in England around the year 1944. It is said that a group of vegetarian people who were members of the Leicester Vegetarian Society broke away from it and formed their Vegan Society. Veganism is against animal cruelty and exploitation. Vegans only eat plant-based foods such as nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. They do not eat any animal-based foods, including eggs and dairy products.
Why Vegans Are Vegan
There are many reasons why people practice a vegan diet.
Animal Cruelty
The most popular one is that vegans believe animals should be treated ethically and not as a source of food. They say that eating meat and dairy products leads to cruelty against animals. For example, they believe that veal calves are kept in tiny crates, pigs are kept on concrete floors without any bedding material to lie on, and chickens have their sensitive beaks clipped, so they do not hurt themselves due to stress. They also say that it takes up to sixteen pounds of grain and soybeans to produce 1 pound of beef, which leaves thousands of fewer grains for human consumption every year.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of following the vegan lifestyle are noteworthy. It is believed that the vegan diet allows you to cut down the risk of heart diseases, cancer and keeps your BMI (body mass index) in control.
It is a claim that people on a vegan diet have more energy than people whose diets include meat and dairy products.
Free from antibiotics
Although several pieces of research suggest that organic meats do not contain hormones and antibiotics, eating vegetables that have no exposure to these chemicals are far healthier for kids, especially in the first years of their lives.
Free from cholesterol
Studies have shown that vegans are less prone to suffer from heart diseases. High fat and cholesterol levels in meat products lead to harmful cholesterol levels in the human body. Recent studies also found that people who consume a vegan diet are less likely to die prematurely.
Types of Vegan
There are various types of vegan diets. On a strict vegan diet, users can eat some diets, the most common being:
Raw Diet
This diet excludes any food that has been cooked or processed in any way. It consists of food cooked at not above 118 Fahrenheit.
Whole Foods Diet
A whole foods vegan diet consists of nuts, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
The Vegan Shopping List
Are you new to the vegan diet? Are you fretting about your first vegan food shopping experience? Do not worry. We have you covered.
We are listing some essential vegan foods that you can buy at the supermarket without breaking a sweat. So list down these items and get going.
Fruits and Veggies: You can buy all the fresh fruits and vegetables available at your local farmer’s market, such as avocado, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, berries, etc.
Nuts: Chia seeds, Flax seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds add crunchiness to your delicious vegan smoothie bowls.
Lentils: You can pick Kidney beans, chickpeas, etc., at supermarkets and make yourself a protein-rich and vegan meal.
Dairy-free products: Instead of dairy products such as pasteurized milk and cottage cheese, buy soy milk, almond milk, tofu which are perfect for your vegan diet consumption.
Sauces: You can buy flavor-rich vinegar, maple syrup, and soy at supermarkets.
Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, quinoa are readily available in supermarkets.
Cooking oil: You can buy readily available coconut, olive, and sesame oil.
We hope this helps you buy all the necessary vegan food items that will help you churn some delicious vegan dishes.
Conclusion
Initially, following the diet will take a lot of your willpower and energy, you may get some crazy cravings, and it is ok to indulge yourself from time to time.
Eventually, once you get used to the vegan diet lifestyle, you will not want to go back because there are so many choices available today for vegan food recipes that are delicious and healthy!
