Vegan Health Benefits: Tips You Can Learn

Ever wonder why people who follow a vegan diet are so sure they know what they’re doing? Let’s look past the BS and fill you in on the stuff you can actually learn from this diet. Here are the vegan health benefits.

November was world vegan month. That’s likely the reason you might have noticed that all things vegan were being celebrated and more vegetables were cooked for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sadly, veganism remains misunderstood.

Why? Many don’t believe they can get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need with a vegan diet. Some people make adopting the diet look easy. Others make you believe it’s inexpensive.

Most people judge things before they know what the benefits are. That goes double for the vegan lifestyle because of the way it is portrayed on media outlets. But, being open to the vegan diet is one of the best things we can do for our bodies.

If you’re not familiar with it, here is veganism in a nutshell: No meat, fish, eggs, dairy or any foods containing them. It requires living a life solely on plant-based foods like fruits, veggies and grains.

Peta.org has a whole host of reasons for choosing the vegan diet. If you’re scared about the transition, you should take a gander at their page for some inspiration.

Does Going Vegan Have More Benefits Than Weight Loss?

Most people going vegan these days decide that they are doing it for mostly weight loss. But, the fact is that the effects of choosing to become vegan have a much bigger impact.

How? Not only does it help shed unwanted weight, but it also helps save animals and can also help the environment. The vegan diet is harshly criticized for one reason or another. But, what most people don’t know about it is that most of the times it comes from understanding that we as human beings, are not at the top of the food chain.

Our teeth are flat, with a couple of k-9s in there, but mostly flat which is perfect for chewing on grains and veggies. These are the things our bodies need!

Whether you’re just looking to shed some weight or save some animal lives, the vegan diet will have you feeling good and looking good in no time at all. You’ll get all the vitamins and fiber you need. Just be sure to get your fill of protein supplements. So give it a try for your overall health.

10 Vegan Health Benefits …

#1 You’ve Heard A Lot Of Wrong Info

A lot of people judge the diet strictly based on the idea that since there is no meat, there are no proteins or nutrients, leading to malnourishment. This is quite the opposite. In fact, most fruits and veggies have double the amount of good things our bodies need like calcium, vitamin C, omega fatty acids just to name a few.

About 60% of adults can’t digest cow’s milk. Rest easy. Why? Kale is full of calcium. It has 90 grams per serving. That means it can replace milk for anyone worried about the absence of milk. Although giving up milk on the whole may seem impossible, there are ways to wean your body off of it. You could use almond milk or cashew milk to get your milk. This way you won’t even have to worry about eating a bunch of kale.

#2 You Get All The Stuff You Need

Not only are the things you eat on a vegan diet high in minerals and nutrients, they are also high in fiber. This is good for your digestive system. It means a lower risk of colon cancer. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want that perk?

On average, meat eaters have higher cholesterol and a greater chance at having cardiovascular disease. Not only that, but eating meat uses up more water than eating veggies. Why? It takes over 2,000 gallons of water to make sure that a cow is fed. On the other hand, it only takes 219 gallons of water to grow an almond. Although that may not seem like a lot, it really is.

Veggies are filled with everything good your body needs like magnesium, potassium, folate and antioxidants. All of these are very important for our bodies to function on a regular basis. While some meat may have the types of nutrients our bodies need, it is also full of cholesterol and saturated animal fat.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has shown us that vegans are less likely to become ill or have certain cancers and diabetes. It sure sounds like a path to living a happier and healthier life. You can check out some different ideas and recipes if you are wondering what to eat.

#3 A Little Goes A Long Way 

Even if you aren’t planning on giving up meat, the vegan diet offers you more energy. Just inject a bit of into your diet in place of your normal everyday food and you’ll get perks.

You can start just by cutting back a bit on the usual animal products you eat.

Cut it to one. Swap that out for some oatmeal. Oatmeal makes you feel fuller for longer. You can also dress it up any way you want, which makes it a great transition food due to all the possibilities.

Next, try to cut back on milk. There are so many other options that are made with nuts and they are delicious. By changing just a few things in your day-to-day or even week-by-week diet, it can become easier for you to eat more and more veggies and less meat.

#4 Stand Up For Health

Most people try being vegan for health reasons. Others do so for weight loss. Guess what? It works for both of them! We eat a lot of food in America. And, we also have a lot of variety. That’s why for someone trying to cut back on unhealthy fats and animal products it can be very intimidating. That’s especially true if others around you are pushing you to eat something else. Peer pressure can be tough.

Focusing your mind on becoming vegan is just as hard as being one. It means not faltering just because someone cracks a joke, even though that can be a big deal to someone starting out. But, instead of looking at going to a cookout with friends or family as a negative thing, try looking at it positively. This is your time to set an example. They’ll see a new, fitter, healthier you. And, you can share with them the idea that food really can be delicious while also being healthy and free of animal products.

#5 Think Of Your Heart 

Your heart will thank you for cutting down on meat. Cholesterol builds up most in meat eaters because of all the saturated fat. Our bodies make up almost all of the cholesterol we need, so adding to it three times a day, seven days a week, with meats at every meal isn’t the best idea.

Even if you’re trying to be healthy and not vegan, avoiding high amounts of cholesterol is good. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol try eating more and more veggies! If nothing else, they’ll help fill you up. This way, you can start eating less meat. Better cholesterol scores ahead!

#6 A Better Disposition

You’ll notice changes not only in your weight but also with your hair, nails and skin. A lot of times women have even experienced less severe cramping during PMS as well. Bad breath and body odor don’t disappear completely. But, by not eating meat or dairy, your bad odors won’t survive as easily.

Many also feel better about themselves. Why?

. By eating a vegetable-based diet you are living off of the earth and thriving the best way your body knows how. And, you’ll be saving the life of an animal. This diet offers perks everywhere you look!

#7 It’s Here To Stay

Finding food for a vegan diet can seem scary at first. But, with so many people trying this new diet it is becoming easier and easier to find things that will help you feel full and love being vegan. It’s becoming the new trendy way of life. And, unlike many other trends, this one is here to stay because it’s just adopting a healthier mindset that dates back to our ancestors.

Grocery stores have also picked up on the new trend. They now carry a lot of alternatives to meat made up from grains such as quinoa or black beans. There are also thousands of blogs that show how to make vegan cooking fun and enjoyable even for a non-vegan. So there is no more saying it’s too hard because everywhere you look there’s info. And, stores and even restaurants are offering healthier alternatives for those who ask for them.

#8 You Learn About Your Body

By trying a different diet you can see how well your body reacts to certain things. You’ll more easily discover if something is right for you. You’ll know what fruits or veggies agree with your stomach. If you were having issues before and they suddenly disappear, as you begin to re-introduce things to your diet, you’ll be able to figure out the culprit.

And, if being vegan doesn’t work for you, you can at least cut out the other things that didn’t feel good. For example, most people can’t tell if milk is upsetting their stomachs, but if you cut back for a month to try vegan dieting and then continue to drink milk you can figure out exactly what’s going on.

Besides, trying something new is always fun! 

#9 You’ll Be A Better Planner

If you try going vegan and you find it’s not for you, don’t worry. You will still learn a ton of stuff about dieting and meal plans. And, you’re bound to retain some good habits.

Besides, having to create dishes without animal products while also worrying about filling yourself up can be hard. With all the different ideas and recipes you will get through the vegan diet, you’ll be that much smarter about how to diet correctly!

You may even find a new favorite fruit or veggie!

#10 A New Outlook

It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you eat, it can get boring. That’s when poor eating habits develop. And, that’s why a change can be just what you need to ensure you stay on track with a healthy diet instead of a poor one that you’ll never be able to work off in the gym.

You’ll have an entirely new appreciation for veggies, fruits, animals and people who diet. Becoming vegan is hard. Sadly, most people who adopt the vegan diet don’t understand how hard it is until they go through the process of cutting out meat and dairy.

But, if you try and fail you will at least understand how hard it is to eat healthy. That alone could toughen you up and make you more prone to eat a little healthier on a day-to-day basis.

Conclusion

Becoming completely vegan is a life-changing experience and is not to be taken lightly. Although people say it isn’t hard, it is. So if you are seriously thinking about doing this, then Peta has some great links on their website to answer any questions you may have during the process. Better yet, check out the various stories on our website for tips and info.

The important thing to remember is that this type of change should begin with small strides. Be prepared because this diet might be the hardest thing you’ve ever done, but in the end your body and mind will thank you for it.

– By Becky Bickel