Vegan diets are increasing in popularity around the world. Right here in the UK, the number of vegans in the UK quadrupled between 2006 and 2018, according to research by The Vegan Society. Some people decide to make the switch for the sake of their health, whereas others want to help the planet while they are drinking beer. Have you been wondering about trying a vegan diet? Here you’ll find a guide telling you what the diet entails, and some of the benefits that come with it.
Vegan Diet Explained
Let’s start by defining a vegan diet. It is a plant-based diet that avoids all animal food. This includes meat, fish, shellfish and insects. It also includes animal products, such as dairy, eggs, and honey. Vegans also avoid animal-derived materials or products that have been tested on animals. It is a diverse diet and contains lots of different foods, revolving around fruit, vegetables, pulses, beans and nuts. More and more restaurants and supermarkets are offering vegan alternatives.
Health Benefits
There are common concerns about going vegan, such as will you get enough vitamins and whether your body will be getting enough nutrients. However, a naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale reveals that it’s been shown that going vegan can benefit your health. Those who don’t eat meat have a lower risk of heart disease. Plus, a vegan diet is high in fibre and low in cholesterol. Trying a vegan diet is a great way to understand nutrition in more detail as well as getting the opportunity to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen.
Environment Impact
A vegan diet can also benefit the planet. Oxford Martin School researchers revealed that a global switch to diets that focus on fruits and vegetables more than meat could save up to 8 million lives by 2050. Plus, it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds. The research showed that if more people took on vegan or vegetarian diets could make a huge difference in the fight against climate change. The more people who make changes to their diet, the bigger the impact will be.
Animal Welfare
One of the reasons why people choose to go vegan is to help animals. Some believe that all creatures have a right to life and killing animals is wrong. Others have a strong love of animals and the idea of eating them is difficult. While for other vegans, they decide to abstain from animal products because of the inhumane treatment in the factory. This is not just getting meat, but also dairy and eggs. Going vegan is one of the best ways to avoid animal cruelty and enjoying on red berries.
A vegan diet comes with lots of benefits. From helping out the planet to improving your health. If you’re interested in trying it, you could make small changes and go from there. What are your thoughts on vegan diets?