What is a vegan diet
Someone who follows this diet doesn't eat animals and foods that come from animals. This includes dairy products such as eggs and cheese and also honey, for example.
However, what most people don't know, is that veganism is more than a diet. It is a lifestyle.
It's about adopting a different perception of the way we eat and live. Apart from food, there also also common products that might not be vegan. For example, tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo and much more. The principal reason why the products mentioned might not be vegan is the inclusion of Glycerin/ Glycerol. This component is usually derived from animal fats. Most times, if your shampoo or creams don't include a vegan logo, it means that they contain ingredients like this.
Why go vegan
The 3 most common reasons to go plant based are:
- To stop the exploitation and killing of animals
The most popular reason for going vegan is the desire to prevent a tremendous amount of
animal slaughter and suffering. Animals in farms live in the worst conditions and even if they are produced "organically", they are killed while still being healthy and young.
- To less contribute to pollution and other environmental damages
The reduction of meat and dairy consumption reduces air and water pollution. In addition, it cuts methane emissions that contribute to climate change.
Certain foods such as meat (especially red) and dairy are linked to colon cancer. Since vegans usually eat more vegetables and fruit and cut animal products, it is clearly a healthier option to adopt this diet.
However, to be a healthy vegan, there are several aspects to keep in mind and that's why this article will be helpful.
If you're interested in learning more about the impacts of veganism, click here.
Several sleep experts such as Phil Lawlor have discovered that a vegan diet has many benefits to one's sleeping experience. Some of the expert's findings was that by adopting a vegan diet, you can have less vivid dreams. In addition, it can take a shorter time for you to fall asleep, boost your mood which aids sleep and also improve your overall sleep cycle.
How to become vegan
When changing a diet drastically, it is always important to get the supervision of an expert/ nutritionist.
However, if you want to take small steps at a time towards your goal and are able to make sure to do it correctly, there is no harm in doing so. You can also search for vegan diet plans online.
Become self-consciousness
Before starting your journey in the plant-based world, it is important to do your research. Know your purpose. Search how many calories you should eat per day (usually 2000 for women and 2500 for men). Ask yourself how much protein you should get (which is usually 0.8 x your body weight) and how you can obtain other relevant minerals/vitamins.
Find your sources
Depending on your personal preferences, you will find how to substiture meat and dairy. Some alternatives for meat are lentils, beans, tofu, vegan meat, nuts and much more. Yogurt and milk can easily be replaced by oat and soy alternatives, for example. If you find your sources correctly, there should be no need to suplement with vitamins, even though it is ok if you have to. Some websites with information about plant-based alternatives and mineral sources are Healthline, MedicalNewsToday and NHS.
Nowadays, it is so easy to find vegan options for everything. There is vegan fish, vegan ice-cream, plant-based milk, plant based protein powder and so much more. Infact, one of the most exciting parts of the transition is to explore all these new foods.
Learn how to use your sources
After gathering all the information needed to change the way you eat, it is important to learn how to cook well. It is not neede d to be a professional chef or to have any super skills at all. One of the most helpful ways to learn how to cook delicious vegan food is to watch Youtube videos and read recipes online.
Some well-known vegan Youtubers are Pick Up Limes, Jess Beautician and Simnett Nutrition. Some inspiring bloggers are Loving it Vegan, Sweet Simple Vegan and From My Bowl. There, you will find loads of nutritional information as well as plant-based recipes.
Last step
Understand if this is the right choice for you
Being vegan might not be something for everyone. Nevertheless, being conscious of your decisions is already a big step. Many people choose to be plant based, flexitarian or vegetarian. It is okay not to be vegan and as long as you care and make some conscious decisions, you are already contributing for a better planet.
Do whatever feels good and what makes sense to you, always.
