Advantages of a Vegan Diet

The advantages of a vegan diet go beyond even those of vegetarianism, affecting every aspect of your health and well-being. Far from being a restrictive way of life, going vegan can excite your palate and tables in ways you never imagined.

Going vegan can improve every aspect of your health.

Simply put, a vegan eats no animal products whatsoever. Whereas a vegetarian will often still eat dairy products, eggs and honey, vegans eschew all such foods. Nor do they use any product derived from animals, such as fur or leather. In this way, vegans uphold ethical and environmental standards towards animals and the land.

As with vegetarianism, a well-planned vegan meal yields all the protein, minerals and vitamins necessary for good health. Obviously, a bit more work is involved initially, but you will soon find it is very easy and fun to shop, cook and eat vegan.

We know that the average American diet, which is high in fat, sodium and cholesterol, contributes to disease. Some of the important advantages of a vegan diet are that your risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease are significantly lowered. A vegan diet also helps control diabetes, which is becoming epidemic. If you require insulin, you will still need to take it, but a strictly plant-based diet can reduce your insulin needs.

The milk board will argue that veganism is dangerous for growing children and women because they are not getting enough calcium. In fact, both men and women may decrease their chances of osteoporosis and other bone-depleting conditions because animal protein, even that in dairy, actually leeches calcium from bones. Leafy green vegetables, legumes and soy are excellent sources of calcium and provide many other crucial nutrients as well.

One of the many problems with an animal-food based diet high in sugars and simple carbohydrates is that even the nutrients in these foods can work against one another. As above, you may eat a huge serving of broccoli and spinach, but the calcium contained will be counteracted by your serving of chicken. Any number of vitamins and minerals can be compromised by what accompanies them. When you focus on a plant-based diet, most foods work together, so that you are actually reaping more benefit from everything you eat. This improves all aspects of your health, including your all-important digestive function.

Those who live vegan are quick to attest that there are even further advantages of a vegan diet than preventing disease and maintaining a healthful weight. Provided the foods you eat are not chemically treated and are properly prepared, you can also control allergies, hypertension, PMS, anxiety and depression. Part of this is due to the greater amount of healthful proteins, vitamins and minerals you ingest. But also bear in mind that you are what you eat, and many animals raised for food are given hormones, antibiotics and antidepressants, among other chemicals, all of which are present in beef, chicken and pork.

Although not wholly proven, many vegans find that they benefit from their diets in ways that surprise and delight them. For example, it’s reported that veganism can help hold off and even reverse gray hair. While it seems to be mostly those on the raw food diet who notice this effect, it’s also worth noting that premature gray hair is connected to mineral deficiency. If your diet includes a proper range of food-based minerals that you are absorbing properly because you are not eating anything to counteract absorption, it means your hair (as well as your skin and nails) is thoroughly nourished.

Those who love yogurt, omelets and honey may feel going vegan is a punishment. It’s best to ease your way into the diet and slowly discover substitutes that are just as delicious and even more nutritious. As you start to reap the health benefits, you’ll soon find that you’ve lost nothing…and gained plenty!

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