Have you thought about going vegan?
You have likely heard something about going vegan as of late. It seems that everywhere you turn, there are subway posters, books, Instagram posts, blogs, or cookbooks urging you to cut out meat and dairy out of your life forever. Going vegan is usually associated with dietary options, although a vegan lifestyle may extend to your clothing choices as well. You can even buy vegan brands or vegan shoes to further accentuate your lifestyle choices.
There is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to adopting a vegan lifestyle. Even if you think the benefits outweigh the work involved, you need to initially determine whether this lifestyle is right for you.
Amongst all this noise, it is difficult to discern between what is fact and what is fiction and make an informed choice about going vegan. Don’t worry. We’ve done all of the research for you and pulled together the six benefits a vegan lifestyle:
Benefit #1: A vegan lifestyle leads to more nutrients and vitamins.
If you want a vegan lifestyle, you will be cutting out meats and dairy from your diet. As such, you will need to supplement the loss of those vitamins with foods that are either whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts or seeds. These foods are disproportionately higher in certain key vitamins and nutrients.
For instance, numerous studies have shared that vegan diets are richer in fiber, potassium, as well as vitamins A, C and E. However, not all vegan diets carry the same health benefits. It is important to not rely on processed and pre-packaged foods as those are often very high in sodium and saturated fats. You may need to consider including supplements in your diet to ensure that all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins are covered.
Benefit #2: A vegan lifestyle helps you shed the pounds.
If you are turning to a vegan lifestyle as a weight loss strategy, then you’ll be glad about its healthy benefits! Indeed, it is true that vegan food options are typically low in fat and in carbs, which are ideal for weight loss.
However, before you embark on a vegan diet for weight loss, it is important to speak to a naturopath or dietitian that can help you make informed choices about the foods you eat. Even though many foods are marketed as being plant-based and healthy, it is important to be knowledgeable about your diet.
Benefit #3: A vegan lifestyle lowers your blood sugar levels.
Many folks turn to vegan lifestyles because they hope to lower their blood sugar levels. Indeed, a vegan diet can help you do exactly that. Research has shown that a vegan diet drastically decreases the risk of developing diabetes.
Even within diabetics, vegan diets have helped lower their blood pressure over the long-term. A secondary benefit of this is that it can help improve kidney function in diabetics as well.
Benefit #4: A vegan lifestyle reduces the risk of cancer.
According to the World Health Organization, regularly eating fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk of getting a cancer in your lifetime. Given that vegan diets are predominantly consistent of fruit and vegetable options, this is a great benefit. Indeed, research has shown that vegans eat consistently more fruits and vegetables than non-vegans.
Conversely, research has also shown that many meats, particularly processed meats, can promote certain cancer types. Even if you decide that a full vegan lifestyle is not for you, it is still very important to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Benefit #5: A vegan lifestyle reduces the risk of heart disease.
The benefits of a vegan lifestyle will help reduce your risk of heart disease. Eating fruits, vegetables and fiber has been linked to better heart health.
Furthermore, studies done with vegans and non-vegans have shown that a vegan diet can decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease and cholesterol. This is due to the fact that vegans tend to consume more nuts and whole grains, which boast numerous benefits for your heart.
Benefit #6: A vegan lifestyle reduces the discomfort from chronic conditions.
Many studies have revealed a link between vegan diets and an improvement in symptoms in arthritis-sufferers. Individuals in the studies who were vegan reported higher levels of energy, less pain, and overall improved functioning. This is due to the fact that vegan friendly foods are full of antioxidants and various nutrients that help reduce inflammation. If you suffer from a chronic joint condition such as arthritis, trying out a vegan diet may be a good option for you.
One gentle approach to help nudge you in the right direction is to slowly cut down on meat and dairy, while increasing your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Indeed, this could be both a “test run” of a vegan diet, and it can help you feel the health benefits.
Do you sense that you have more energy? Are you sleeping better? Feeling less hungry? This is a great way to dip your toe, before you fully commit!
