The health benefits of a vegan diet are getting more attention each day, and many health professionals are in its favor. The question is, whether it is really that good for you? There are a variety of reasons why you might be considering changing to this diet. But before you do, you need to know how it will affect your health and wellbeing.
What is a Vegan Diet?
When you eat a vegan diet, it means that you refrain from eating products that come from animals. This is compared to a vegetarian diet, where you just avoid meat. Vegans also avoid milk, butter, cheese, honey, eggs, and any other food that comes from or is made by animals. If you’re considering trying this diet, then you can eat:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Nuts
- Seeds
You won’t have to give up all of your treats on this diet. If you enjoy milk, for example, then you may like one of the replacements such as cashew, almond, or rice milk. So, just experiment a little bit and see what you enjoy.
This diet has been getting a lot of attention lately, mostly because it’s said to be good for the planet and for animal rights. However, it can be difficult to maintain, and you will need to be dedicated and vigilant to stick to this diet. If you’re considering it, then you need to know about the pros and cons of this lifestyle change.
The Drawbacks of a Vegan Diet
Some of the drawbacks of the vegan diet include:
a) It’s Difficult
Eating a vegan diet can be difficult, particularly when you go out for dinner. You may find it hard to find vegan options or end up eating food that contains animal products accidentally. It can also be a lot of work to find vegan products that you enjoy eating.
b) Limited Nutrient Range
It can be more difficult to get the full range of nutrients that your body needs when you’re on a vegan diet. So, you will need to be more careful about choosing what to eat and how much to ensure that you’re giving your body everything it needs.
The Health Benefits of Vegan Diets
It isn’t all bad. The vegan diet is actually very healthy and can improve your health in the following ways:
a) Weight Loss
Many people make the change to this diet to lose weight, and it usually works. The vegan diet is packed with dietary fiber, which means you’ll feel full faster and end up eating less food. Cutting out meat, which tends to be fatty, can also aid with weight loss. It can also aid in muscle building.Â
b) Better Heart Health
Studies have shown that vegans have a 75 percent lower risk of high blood pressure. They also have a 42 percent lower chance of dying from heart conditions. These statistics may be due to the fact that the vegan diet helps lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure and stabilizes blood sugar at the same time.
c) Better Blood Sugar Stability
Eating vegan has also been shown to aid with blood sugar stability and may even help prevent type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that vegans have higher insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels overall. Their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is also 78 percent lower than non-vegans. This may be due to the high fiber content in this diet.
A vegan diet can also help avoid kidney problems, which will further help with blood sugar stability and overall health.
d) Decreased Cancer Risk
A vegan diet contains many foods that help to lower your cancer risk, including legumes, which lower the risk of colorectal cancer, and soy, which protects against breast cancer. Avoiding processed and cooked meats also help protect against several types of cancer, and avoiding dairy can help protect men from prostate cancer.
e) Better Aging
Certain studies have shown that a vegan diet may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. This diet may also help protect against the pain, stiffness, and swelling of arthritis.
f) Healthier Overall
The modern diet is very unhealthy, filled with processed foods that are full of chemicals and sugar. In contrast, the vegan diet is filled with nutrient-rich foods that contain a healthy combination of vitamins, minerals, and other essential components. So, despite the fact that it can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need when you’re vegan, if you’re changing from a typical modern diet, then you will find yourself eating far more nutrients than you did previously.
The Takeaway
A vegan diet can be difficult to maintain, but when done correctly, it has many health benefits. It is also good for the planet overall. If you’re considering changing to this diet, here’s what you should know?
- Talk to your doctor to ensure that you don’t harm your body with the dietary changes.
- Talk to a professional about the diet to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
- Start slowly by eating a few meat-free meals a week rather than trying to change everything at once.
