Vegan Diet Make You Healthy

Veganism is coming into the mainstream with more and more people trying this environment- friendly eating option. Veganism is quite different than simply being vegetarian. Going vegan means only eating plant-based food and avoiding every product related to animals. That means no meat, fish or eggs but also avoiding cheese, honey, and milk.

So how will you get the protein?

That is the question that almost everyone has before going vegan. Avoiding a certain kind of food should not lead to deficiencies and believe it or not, meat-based diets are rich in protein and they are the best sources for protein intake. So, without cheese, or meat where will the proteins come from? The answer is simple, lentils, tofu, chickpeas, beans and green peas. There are plant-based sources of protein as well but the trick is that one will have to plan it to ensure adequate intake.

Why go vegan?

People decide to go vegan because of various reasons. The most common is to avoid animal-cruelty and take a step towards the conservation of the future. Some people also choose to go vegan to bring a healthy change in their lives. While in the UK there has been a humongous rise of vegans, the trend is catching up in India as well. It is observed that instead of making one lethargic, going vegan can actually boost up your energy levels since you will be shifting to healthier food like fruits and nuts, while on the same hand, avoiding unhealthy snacks.

Will it make you healthy?

The first few weeks of shifting from normal diet to a vegan diet can cause some changes in your body, including your bowel movement. But, veganism does help one in reducing weight, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and improving one’s metabolism. Due to the higher fiber content in a vegan diet, it is considered to be healthier. But your intake of carbs and protein needs to be balanced and well- planned.
Veganism has other health benefits as well such as maintaining high energy levels and a few months into the vegan diet, you will notice the clearing up of acne. Once you start managing a well-planned balanced vegan diet, you will notice the difference in yourself. It would reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes risk because of low-salt diet. Vegan diets improve glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

Need to be careful

There are issues that arise with being vegan. One of them being a deficiency in Vitamin D since fish, meat and dairy and key sources of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for your bone health and keeps your muscles healthy. Its deficiency may lead to heart diseases, depression, migraines, and even cancer.
So you must ensure that you get enough sunlight or take supplements during winter months. The intake of minerals like zinc, iron and calcium are also reduced in a vegan diet and one needs to find enough substitutes to avoid deficiency.
Some other nutrients that vegans are a risk of being deficient in are B12 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Continuing with a vegan lifestyle for a long time can lead to the depletion of Vitamin B12. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause fatigue, anemia, loss of appetite along with other neurological symptoms. To avoid being sick because of B12 deficiency, one will have to make up for the B12 sources through plant-based milks, vegan soy products having B12 and breakfast cereals. But these will need to be consumed on a regular basis.

Overall analysis:

Veganism is surely a good lifestyle choice but is often not feasible for the masses or good for someone unable to plan and manage their diets.