vegans are people who do not eat any animal products. this includes eggs, dairy, and meat. some vegans also choose not to eat honey because it comes from bees. vegans can get all of their nutrients from a plant-based diet and have lower rates of disease than omnivores (people who eat both plants and animals). however, vegans need to make sure that they are getting all the vitamins and minerals that come from animal sources.
no one cares more about your health than you do.
the truth is that no one cares about your health more than you do. if anyone else claims otherwise (e.g., your doctor), then they're just trying to convince you that their advice is important enough for them to make money from it. They want to sell you something: pills or procedures; vitamins or supplements; surgeries or treatments...all costly items with side effects!
as long as there's someone out there willing to pay for my health advice (and there will be), why would I let myself fall prey to the marketing tactics employed by doctors and pharmaceutical companies? How could anyone possibly know better than me what's best for my body?
are vegans healthy?
a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is not only good for your health but it's also good for the planet. the world health organization (WHO) recommends at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day because they provide vitamins, minerals and other substances that are beneficial to health.
vegans can get enough protein from vegan sources like beans, peanut butter, nuts/seeds, and soy products such as tofu or tempeh. these foods are low in fat so vegans should eat plenty of whole grains to make up for the lack of fat in their diets; this will help them stay full longer between meals which helps prevent overeating later on during the day when hunger strikes again!
vegans are less likely to get cancer.
you're probably aware that vegans sometimes eat better than omnivores, but did you know that they also tend to get cancer less often? a 2011 study found that vegans were about half as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer as meat-eaters. vegans are also less likely to smoke or drink alcohol, which can increase the risk of certain cancers.
there are many other factors involved in developing a disease like colon cancer, but eating a plant-based diet is one simple way for anyone—vegan or not—to reduce their risk of getting it
the vegan diet can aid in weight loss.
the vegan diet is a low-fat, high-fiber diet that's rich in nutrients like vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. adhering to this kind of lifestyle will help you feel fuller for longer periods, which can lead to weight loss over time. the vegan diet also encourages regular exercise through its emphasis on healthy eating habits.
giving up meat may seem like an extreme move when it comes to losing weight; however, as long as you take care not to overeat your portions and make sure you're getting enough calories from other sources (like legumes), then giving up meat products shouldn't affect your ability to shed extra pounds quickly!
the vegan diet can help maintain your weight.
one of the most common concerns over veganism is whether it will make you gain weight. most people assume that a diet lacking meat and dairy products would be lower in calories, but this isn't always true. When done right, a plant-based diet can be just as high in calories as any other diet—and sometimes even higher!
but what if you're eating more than enough calories to maintain your weight? that's where fiber comes into play. fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate found in plants like grains, fruits, and vegetables that help fill you up without adding many extra calories. it also slows down how fast food moves through your digestive tract so that you feel full longer between meals. the average vegan consumes double the amount of dietary fiber that non-vegetarians do!
you also get more nutrients on a vegan diet than other diets do because plant foods tend to be lower in saturated fat (the bad kind) while still being high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (the good kinds). these nutrients make us feel satisfied after eating so we don't need as much food overall—which translates into fewer calories consumed throughout the day.
the vegan diet can lower your risk of heart disease.
according to research, vegans have a lower risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. a study published in the journal of agricultural and food chemistry found that LDL cholesterol levels were reduced by up to 10 percent in people who went on a vegan diet for just six weeks, compared with those who ate meat. another study found that a plant-based diet could also reduce blood pressure by 8 points or more if you’re obese or overweight.
a vegan diet has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because it leads to weight loss, which allows your body to better regulate insulin levels and glucose uptake. the same is true for obesity—although the reason may be different here: when you eat less fat and more fiber (which comes from plants), you will feel fuller longer so you won't need as much food overall!
vegans have lower blood sugar levels.
there are many health benefits to being a vegan, including lower blood sugar levels. vegans have on average 20% lower blood sugar levels than non-vegans; this is because they tend to eat less processed foods and have a more even glucose distribution throughout the day.
a diet full of fruits and vegetables can also help you avoid obesity—which is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes—and improve your heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in your body (triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood).
the vegan diet can improve kidney function.
veganism can also help with certain conditions affecting the kidneys. These are:
- blood pressure and kidney function are improved by a vegan diet.
- no evidence was found that there is a difference in the risk of developing kidney stones between vegans and non-vegans. however, a vegan diet has been shown to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones in those who already have them by as much as 80%.
- there is no difference in cholesterol levels between vegans and omnivores; however, vegans tend to have lower cholesterol levels than omnivores or vegetarians (who consume eggs). vegan diets may also reduce your chances of developing diabetes due to their nutrient content (e.g., potassium) being linked with a lower risk for this disease.
although becoming vegan can have a lot of health benefits, it is important to make sure that you are getting all the vitamins and nutrients that are not easily accessible to vegans and other kinds of vegetarians.
- vitamin B12: this vitamin is mostly found in fish and animal products. if you do not include any of these in your diet, then it would be best to take a supplement or consume foods fortified with vitamin B12 such as cereals or nutritional yeast flakes.
- iron: red meat contains heme iron which helps absorb more iron from vegetables than non-heme iron found in plants. vegans need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C since this increases the absorption rate which helps boost levels naturally by 100%. consuming tannins (found in tea) blocks absorption so avoid drinking too much tea while trying to increase your intake of this nutrient if you're having trouble getting enough already!
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we hope that by now, you're informed of the many benefits of veganism. it's not just about being healthy—it's also about doing your part to help the environment, animals, and other people. we know it can be difficult to make this lifestyle change, but if you stick with it and educate yourself on how best to eat a healthy plant-based diet, you'll soon find that going vegan is not only easy but also incredibly fulfilling!
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