A vegan diet: the key to a healthy weight
Veganism is a somewhat strange idea for many Americans. For generations, animal products have been a part of American culture: Families have started their mornings with scrambled eggs, discussed their days over steak, and enjoyed sundaes before bed. Yet at the same time, our waistlines have swelled and our arteries have clogged. Veganism offers a healthy alternative. Try it for a while, or try it forever. Either way, you’ll reap big benefits: Vegans are rewarded with slimmer figures, cleaner engines, and improved energy.
What is veganism?
The term “veganism” was coined just a few decades ago and is derived from the word “vegetarianism.” Basically, vegetarians don’t eat animals, but will eat animal products like cheese and eggs. Vegans exclude all animal products from their diets. Veganism involves avoiding milk and eggs, as well as honey, gelatin, and animal-based food additives. (A common red food dye, for example, is made from beetles!)
Is veganism difficult?
Since animal products are used in everything from tortilla chips to candy coatings, some people imagine that it would be difficult to adhere to a vegan diet. Depending on where a person lives, this could be true! The key is to place yourself in healthy environments:
• It is much easier to find nutritious and tasty vegan food at a health food store than at a traditional supermarket chain. Smaller, independent grocery stores often have vegan and vegetarian hot food bars and refrigerated meals for people on the go.
• When choosing a restaurant, remember that certain cuisines are easier to make vegan. For example, it’s easy to adapt recipes to make vegan burritos, pad thai, sushi rolls, and stir fries.
• Keep vegan snacks on hand at home, at the office, and in the car. With cashews, fruit salad, and dark chocolate at your fingertips, following a vegan diet can be a snap.
How is the food?
Cultures around the world have been making delicious vegan foods for millennia: chocolate, hummus, fried okra, samosas, etc. While traditional American foods tend to rely on animal fats and salt for flavor, vegan foods make the most of nut oils and heady spices like cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, and oregano.
Additionally, modern food companies have excelled at developing alternatives to meat. Do you like bacon? Several “fake bacon” products are perfectly salty and crispy, and taste… like piggy. Vegans also have delicious dessert options. The vegan apple crumble is divine, especially when topped with a version of coconut milk ice cream.
People also note that once they go vegan, they require less stimulation to enjoy the flavors. For example, they are satisfied with a lower concentration of sugar in their desserts. That’s because their systems have gotten cleaner over time and are more sensitive to fluctuations.
It is safe?
Balanced vegan diets are so safe that in the Netherlands, vegans have discounted health insurance rates. Of course, it’s not wise to load up on vegan chocolate chip cookies and forget about nutrition. With proper medical guidance, you can lose weight quickly and safely by omitting animal products from your diet. The animals will thank you and your body too!