[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ommitting to a Vegan/Plant-based diet can take extra work when it comes to creating the right diet for your body, planning meals or deciding where to eat out. But once you adapt to the Vegan lifestyle, the benefits are beyond doubt.
Starting off on a vegan diet can be considered the hardest part, as prepping for a lifestyle change can take a lot of work and research, especially when it comes to dramatically altering your diet.
Whether your choice for turning vegan and committing to a plant-based diet is motivated by the philosophy of animal rights or maybe you were inspired by research on the health benefits. But it’s important to have the right information to aid you on your journey of living life without meat, dairy or any type of food produced by an animal.
Looking after your health and working with what best suits your body is the first and most important step. In switching to a plant-based diet, there are certain minerals and vitamins your body won’t receive from your food intake. That’s why making sure you have the right supplements is an important step in converting to veganism.
B12 – most commonly found in meat, eggs and fish is an essential supplement for those going on a vegetarian, vegan or plant-based diet. Without this essential vitamin, you will feel exhausted and weak. B12 can be found in fortified foods, which have nutrients added to them that don’t naturally occur in the food. An example of fortified foods would be dairy alternatives like soy yoghurt.
Veganism can also seem expensive, but not if you stick to the basics like eating fruit, vegetables, nut and beans, rather than purchasing processed packaged food with the vegan label slapped onto it. Just because something says it’s vegan doesn’t necessarily mean it’s incredibly healthy for you, some vegan options can also be very processed.
With veganism becoming a mainstream diet choice, there are endless options and alternatives of food for you to consume, while sticking to your plant-based diet. The majority of restaurants aim to keep up with the dietary changes in society over the years, so vegetarian, vegan and plant-based options are regularly available. The versatility in certain restaurants menu’s makes eating out on a vegan diet as easy as it is for regular diets.
The environmental, ethical and health benefits of veganism and its values are assured once you move past the intimidating point of simply just starting the diet.
According to research from the University of Oxford, going vegan is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on the planet.
A compelling aspect of trying out veganism is the chance to try something new and to check out your options. If you’re unsure about the commitment, then you can give it a test run and dip your toe into the plant-based diet.
It’s always important to consult with your doctor about any drastic dietary changes, as all of our bodies are different, so what works for some may not necessary work for others.
Shauna Burdis
Image credit: Shutterstock
Note: This article was reuploaded on 26/03/2021 due to a fault with The College View website.