Over the last few months, the diet and health industry has been alive with the vegan buzz. However, being a Vegan is more than just a diet. Many people on a plant-based diet don’t have the same strict rules as a true vegan. Veganism is a lifestyle where you remove anything that has derived from an animal out of your life. This includes any makeup or clothing too.
While I’m not vegan by any means, I can’t deny that having plant-based meals / days is good for my body. We have lived by the belief that humans are supposed to be meat-eaters. Vegans need protein, and the best source of that is through meat. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Legumes, which make up a family of products rich in protein are often used as part of the feed we let our cows feast on. Have you seen a cow? They are muscles on legs. Legumes are highly rich in protein and are far less harmful to your body than meat.
Recent studies have proved that by reducing your meat intake, you can control several chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. There is also a reduction in certain types of cancer in those that follow a plant-based diet. This alone is enough to make you consider switching over to a whole-food, vegan diet.
There are other benefits too. Recently several major athletes and weightlifters have switched to a plant-based diet reporting they have more energy, fewer injuries and reduction of inflammation. Lewis Hamilton, the British, five-time Formula One Champion is just one of a recent influx of athletes who have changed their diets for improved performance and resistance.
With demand, supply has increased, and now there are a number of plant-based alternatives across many restaurants and supermarkets, even the corner shops have stepped up and offered a far more varied product range for the consumers. You can also buy vegan mince or vegan sausages made from natural, and non-meat derived ingredients. This makes it easier for us to live a plant-based diet, even when we are on the road or trying to navigate a busy lifestyle.
If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle but have shied away from vegan diets because you don’t have an issue with wearing leather and you quite enjoy a steak from time to time, then maybe you could consider a plant-based diet with a little cheat from time to time. They say a bit of everything is good for you. Perhaps moderation is the key. You could look at mixing the plant-based and the 5:2 diet. Eating no meat during the week and then allowing yourself fish or chicken on the weekend.
There are multiple ways we can incorporate the benefits of a plant-based diet into our daily lives without making huge sacrifices every day of the week. The benefits from your vegan-only days will probably make you feel so good about yourself that you will naturally stick to a plant-based diet. Why not give it a go today?
