I have been a vegan for ten years. It took a long time to make the transition, buy I'm happy I did it. I have learned to eat healthy and enjoy what I eat. Meat and dairy are no longer part of my diet. Vegetables, fruits and tofu provide the protein I require. I have more energy, lost weight and feel better than ever. Would I return to eating meat and fish? The answer is an emphatic 'no'!
One common notion about becoming a vegan is that you'll miss foods that are not part of the diet, such as meat. However, most people who begin following a plant-based diet come to find it expansive and empowering instead of restrictive. The truth is you will eat better than you did in the past and feel better as well. Cravings for meat, fish, and dairy products will dissipate over time until they are not missed. If you are thinking about becoming a vegan, below are six benefits of the lifestyle that may help your decision.
Deeper Compassion
A vegan's compassion extends its reach to all living creatures. With increased compassion comes greater acceptance of all life and the appreciation that it adds value to our own, making us stronger.
Expanded Palate
Vegans learn to enjoy a very wide range of vegetables which leads to an expanded palate. Recipes abound for cooking every vegetable imaginable. When veggies are just a side dish, it's convenient to settle for a few of them to complement meat, such as potato salad, peas and carrots, or corn. Once veggies are the main dish, however, one starts to appreciate many more ingredients enriching the dining experience.
Global Impact
The vegan lifestyle is much more than food. It's about the environment, climate, sustainable development, efficient allocation of food sources, and animal welfare. Many of the themes associated with going green are linked to veganism. When one chooses to be a vegan, one participates and supports these themes. The impact of eating vegan is so powerful, that if everyone did it constantly or even occasionally, many of these issues would resolve themselves.
Increased Mobility
Nutritionists, dietitians, and health scientists are confirming the health benefits of a plant-based diet over a meat-based one. Lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, and longer life spans are possible outcomes with a vegan diet. Fewer health problems mean that one is more active and mobile and can enjoy life more fully.
Larger Social Network
The vegan community is large and growing. Vegans enjoy sharing their experiences and finding companions who understand the reasons for their eating habits. Meeting and connecting with new people is one of the fun social aspects of being vegan.
New Knowledge
The vegan diet is focused on ingredients, health, and nutrition. To enjoy vegan food and stay healthy, one inevitably learns more about nutrition and the impact of ingredients on health. Over time, by paying attention to what it consumed and the value of each ingredient, one becomes familiar with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients and with it comes new knowledge and power.
The benefits of a vegan lifestyle make one a more empowered person. New experiences lead to new ideas and new ways to enjoy and fully appreciate life. Try eating more vegan meals and enjoy the positive impact!