Veganism has been around for decades now, and yet it is only just emerging as a mainstream dietary trend rather than remaining as an incredibly niche concern.
So what are the rules of being a vegan and is it a diet worth adopting from a health perspective? Let’s delve into the details and take a closer look.
The fundamentals of veganism
The good news about becoming a vegan is that the diet you follow has only one main restriction, which is that you cannot eat any kind of animal product.
This includes everything from meat and fish to milk, eggs and even honey. This leaves the vast majority of plant-based products available for vegans to eat and enjoy in whatever way they see fit, although there are some exceptions, such as the debate surrounding figs.
There are several main motivations that might make someone decide to be vegan, chief amongst which is a desire to avoid the exploitation of animals in any form. More and more people are choosing veganism for environmental reasons as well, since producing plant-based foods can be far more eco-friendly than those using animal products.
There are also people who adopt a vegan diet for health reasons, and with all of the delicious recipes available from sites like Cook Gem it is easy to see why making the switch is less of a challenge than ever before. But what health benefits can Veganism bring?
The nutritional advantages
By moving away from animal products in favor of a diet replete with fruits and vegetables, vegans are able to significantly increase their intake of a number of nutrients which might otherwise be at lower levels overall.
While the specific nutritional benefits you glean will depend on the types of plants you eat, in general you can expect this diet to be higher in fiber and antioxidants, in addition to providing more key vitamins such as A, C and E, amongst other things.
This sounds good in principle, but you also need to make sure that you plan any vegan diet appropriately so that you can get the right balance of nutrients, and not miss out on some crucial ones. For example, vegan diets can be lacking in calcium and vitamin D, so it may be necessary to make tweaks and even take supplements to support this diet if you are looking for convenience.
The weight loss potential
Perhaps the most appealing health benefit of moving towards a vegan diet is that it could help you to lose weight. Cutting out meat and dairy eliminates a lot of the more harmful fats from the table, and plant-based products tend to have lower calorie counts, meaning you need to eat more if you want to get the same amount of energy.
This has the added perk of meaning that a vegan diet can leave you feeling full and satisfied after a hearty meal, while still allowing you to lose weight because it will be less calorific.
Of course you should still combine a vegan diet with an active lifestyle if you want to get the best results, but it forms a good foundation to achieve any weight loss goals you might have.
The long term potential
Lastly, veganism has been associated with a lower risk of common diseases and ailments, including certain cancers, as well as heart disease and even arthritis.
If you are not yet ready to go full vegan, taking steps to cut down on the amount of animal products in your diet can give you access to many of these benefits as well.
WRITTEN BY
Claire Ward