What You Know About Vegan, And What You Don’t Know About Vegan.

You probably already know that being Vegan means not eating meat. Oxford dictionary defines Veganism as “a person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products.” Also, it’s not as hard as you might think to eat get adequate protein intake! It might come as a shock as well that calcium, iron and B12 deficiencies are pretty easy to avoid. And, it is actually possible (and highly encouraged!) to consume a balanced diet even with the elimination of such prominent food groups (such as meat and dairy). Oh and one more thing that surprised me from going Vegan? The vast shopping and dining out options are quite tasty and healthy. I never would have imagined being Vegan could be so easy. Because if I had, I would have 100% done it sooner!

The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.

-Ann Wigmore

The Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are similar in that they each have you steering clear of meat and seafood. However, veganism kicks it up a notch by eliminating foods containing any animal products altogether. So, in addition to avoiding meat, vegans steer clear of dairy products, eggs, and honey. This also means that if you choose to follow a vegan diet you will want to stay away from tallow, whey, and gelatin. Vegetarians on the other hand, still typically eat dairy products, eggs, and animal by products (such as the ones listed above). Giving up dairy alone was life and health changing for me, but that is another post for another day!

The Reasons Why People Choose to Go Vegan.

Many Vegans have chosen this path due to health, economical or ethical reasons. Sometimes it’s all of the above. Other times it’s more one than the other. But the motivation behind it once you really examine the facts are pretty motivating. I know I myself wanted to do it for years. But I kept saying there was no way I could give up fish and chicken, and bacon and steak! I also was worried about the cost. This is because I was under the (wrong) impression that it would be more expensive than a normal diet. Eventually though, I was moved to give it a shot and I don’t have any plans of ever going back.

12 Reasons To Go Vegan

1. Promotes Weight Loss

Need to lose inches around your waistline? A vegan diet could be the answer! So many people lose 10-20 pounds simply from giving up meat, dairy and eggs. In all reality: you’re pretty much guaranteed to lose weight any time you begin a new diet that has you giving up overly processed, high fat and preservative laden food products. But a vegan diet helps in this area due to the fact that it naturally increases your fiber intake. And this is without you having to put much thought into it. The benefits of a high fiber diet are many. However, weight loss is one that stands at the prominent forefront.

2. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Going the vegan route is shown to be good for your heart health! In a study done by the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, they found that vegans and vegetarians were associated with a 30% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease. A large component in this has to be thanks to the fact that vegans are taking in far less saturated fats, hormones and excess iron. Studies have also found that a plant based diet can reduce blood pressure and restore healthy cholesterol levels, which we will get to in number 11 of this post.

3. Decreased Chance of Certain Cancers

Personally, I think it’s one of the most compelling reasons to not instantly write off Veganism as just another hippie fad. According to Mayo Clinic, researchers found Vegans to have the lowest cancer rates out of the 70,000 study participants. Vegetarians ranked second as having lower instances of cancer in that study. This same study found that the Vegans & Vegetarians were also more likely to adhere to a healthier lifestyle. As a result of their lifestyle and dietary choices, they consequentially had lower BMI and body fat percentages. Which yes could play a factor for sure, but also touts to the fact that being Vegan is more than just a diet. It’s a mindset that is sure to have an impact on one’s lifestyle as well.

The study cited by Mayo Clinic is just one of many studies pointing to a plant based diet as being correlated to lower instances of cancer. The reasons for this could be numerous, but could be largely attributed to the following main factors: Increased fiber intake aids in removal of excess hormones. Soy products, contrary to popular belief, are actually known to reduce the risk of deadly breast cancers. And, it’s also more likely that you will be making healthier, whole food choices when sticking to a vegan diet. But even more obvious- plant based eaters are no longer consuming processed meats laden with chemicals, unavoidable hormones and preservatives.

4. Management of Diabetes

Amazingly, a balanced plant based diet has been shown to lead to healthier blood sugar levels. Regular consumption of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts can improve your body’s response to insulin. Not all vegan friendly options are healthy options though, especially for diabetics! It’s crucial to limit or altogether eliminate simple carbohydrates known to cause spikes (and crashes!) in one’s blood sugar. Examples of these not so optimal options would be starchy carbs such as potatoes, regular pasta, white rice, white bread, muffins, cookies etc.

5. Vegan is Environmentally Friendly

Studies show that those who follow a vegan diet are doing their part to make the earth a cleaner and more inhabitable planet- and just by changing up their eating style! These studies have shown that individuals who follow a more plant based approach have the smallest carbon footprint. They’re estimated to produce a 41.7% smaller quantity of greenhouse gases than meat-eaters do. This is largely due to the amount of feces that livestock animals (such as cows and pigs) produce in contrast to the amount of food they eat. Cow, sheep and goat farms are the worst culprits due to the fact that these adorable animals produce the gas methane during digestion.

So sure, in an attempt to play devil’s advocate here, eating these animals could help reduce the amount of methane gas produced by them, right? It’s basically like climate control 101. Well, hear me out on this one. If we simply stopped mass breeding these animals to ensure there was enough meat to feed the hungry mouths of America (and the world) then there would likely be less of them in existence as a result. Also I’m not saying I think all farms should be shut down- not by a long shot (more on this later).

But wait! There’s even more to vegan being an eco friendly dietary choice. There’s a lot of energy required to keep the meat industry operating. From the amount of food and water it requires to sustain livestock animals- to the efforts put forth in order to store them (pre and post mortem). Additionally, the meat, egg, and dairy industries are responsible for a staggering 65 percent of global nitrous-oxide emissions (according to the UN). 

6. Healthier Blood Pressure Levels

It should come as no shock that studies have shown plant based eaters tend to have lower blood pressure levels compared to omnivores. Vegan diets consist of more fiber and potassium, and less saturated fats and sodium. Studies have found that within just the first two weeks of switching to a vegan diet, participants with formerly high blood pressure saw positive results. Additional studies found that going vegan seriously lowered the chances of hypertension by anywhere from 33 to 75 percent in comparison to conventional diets.

7. Boosted Energy

Becoming vegan has the potential to boost energy levels! This is due to the fact that your body is having to use less energy to digest the foods you’re eating. Plant based foods are easier and faster for our bodies to digest, whereas animal meats take longer to break down and process. This is why you may feel sluggish and run down after eating a gigantic juicy slab of rib-eye. Additionally, processed foods such as those high in refined sugars, saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates can leave you feeling worn down and depleted after consuming. And let’s not forget fiber! As already discussed, with a vegan diet your fiber intake it going to consequentially increase a lot. Fiber means more consistent bowl movements, a healthier digestive tract and stabilized glucose levels. Believe it or not, these benefits result in an increase not only in overall health but also, energy levels.

8. Less Animals Will Suffer

 The majority of animal farms across the U.S. are basically like concentration camps for animals. They are bred and raised (caged) to live confined, uncomfortable, abused lives before going on to experience horrifyingly cruel deaths (slaughter). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to support businesses that make their money in this way. I also don’t want to put into my body another being that has had to live such a tortured and tragic life. Because what if it does effect us in some way? And what if there’s something to the whole karma thing- even if it’s just a subconscious doing of our own?

That being said, there are farms that raise their animals with love and respect. If you decide going vegan is not for you, then I think you will feel better in knowing that there are ethical options out there for you. In this case, all animal farms are not all bad. I have visited some very upstanding organic, humane, cage free and free roaming farms that treated their animals like living beings whose time on this Earth mattered. Those farms are awesome, and I applaud them for what they are doing.

9. Reduce World Hunger

PETA has been saying it for a long time now, and now there are even studies that support their cause. Roughly 13 pounds of grain is required to produce just one pound of meat. If you’re in the dark as I myself was not too long ago, let me be the one to shed some light on this topic for you. 870 million people around the world are suffering from malnutrition and a lack of adequate food supply.

Even more staggering? 2.5 million children aged below 5 die annually due to starvation.

Studies determined that if animal farms were replaced with crops, and the crops formerly used to provide food to the meat farms were used to provide food to people instead- we’d be able to produce enough food to feed an additional 4 billion people worldwide. That is more than enough to end world hunger, not just now but for years to come.

10. Meat & Dairy Products Contain A Lot of Absolute Crap (Literally!)

Look I hated to admit it too at first. But when you really do your research, meat and dairy products are pretty downright repulsive. First of all, Consumer Reports examined 300 packages of ground beef from retail locations all over the U.S. and discovered fecal contamination in each, and every, single, one. That’s freaking gross okay? Like seriously, even if you are thoroughly cooking this literal shit like you’re supposed to- who wants to eat sautéed poop for dinner?!

Meat also contains arsenic, antibiotic resistant bacteria, excess hormones (not meant for our bodies), heavy metals, pesticides and antibiotics. Now of course, organic, locally and ethically sourced meats will all have less or not all of the above. That being said, it’s pretty hard to prevent the fecal matter and hormones from getting in there. Largely because it’s just a result of of the process and the fact that you are eating another once living mammal.

11. Decreased Inflammation Throughout The Body

Inflammation is to blame for pretty much every ailment, complaint and disease you can think of. It’s honestly a nasty little bugger, and a pain in the ass if I may be so blunt. Arthritis? Your joints are inflamed. Sinusitis? Sinuses are inflamed. Crohn’s Disease? Inflamed bowels. Gingivitis? Inflamed gum tissues. Asthma? You have inflammation of your bronchial tubes and airways. I probably could go on for days, but I’d rather not! If you’re curious though, do a Google search of “[disease or ailment] inflammation of” and prepare to be amazed. The good news, is that a Vegan diet helps reduce inflammation levels throughout the body. Science can back this up as well. According to the Arthritis Foundation, a study published in Public Health and Nutrition found those following a vegan diet displayed noteworthy lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a chronic inflammation marker produced by the liver, routinely looked for in blood tests. As you may already know, foods commonly found in a plant based diet are abundant in antioxidants. And antioxidants are our friend when it comes to preventing and reducing unwanted inflammation. Furthermore, studies have found that red and processed meat intake could be a contributor to heightened oxidative stress and inflammation levels.

Hey, I get it. You want the cold hard facts, and I’m right here with you. So if the information above isn’t enough to convince you of the inflammation ridding effects that a vegan diet can provide- just listen to Whitney E. RD illustrate all the scientific reasoning behind it. Simply press play to watch her video below!:

12. Healthier Hair, Skin & Nails

A plant based vegan will leave you feeling and looking younger and more vibrant. Many newly turned vegans report having glowing skin, stronger nails and softer hair. I know I personally can attest to a reduced occurrence of acne and skin problems. The increase in antioxidant and vitamin plentiful foods are probably largely to thank for this. But let’s not forget the decrease in inflammation that is also playing a role here!

To Go Vegan, Or To Not Go Vegan: It’s Not Black and White.

As I conclude this entry, I want to make it clear that I do not believe that those who choose to eat meat are bad or wrong. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the benefits and upsides of being vegan. Maybe you try it out and decide it’s not right for you. Or maybe you try it and you take what you like and you toss what you don’t. I’m a firm believer that you should always do what you feel in your heart of hearts is best for you. The best way to feel sure of your stance is to always keep an open mind and always seek out new information as it becomes available. Life is a journey and the best way to go about it is by taking it one mindfully placed step at a time.

Have you considered or gone vegan before? Drop a comment below, we’d love to hear your experience and thoughts!

PS: Are you concerned about protein intake on a vegan diet? You’re not alone! Use the MyFitnessPal app to research just how much protein your favorite plant foods contain. I was shocked by the amount of protein that foods such as broccoli, mushrooms and chia seeds contained! Read my step-by-step article on 5 Easy Steps to Setting up (and using) MyFitnessPal!

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