Many people worry that making the switch from being vegetarian to full-on vegan will be too difficult. While it is certainly true that the switch to veganism takes a little research, I personally found that the change wasn’t really as drastic or as difficult as I thought it would be.
My diet actually became more diverse because I was looking for new recipes and trying things I’d never considered before, and along with this, my health greatly improved; I had more energy, my skin cleared up and I was able to drop the excess weight I had been struggling to lose since I took up a desk job.
There are countless excellent reasons to take the plunge and go vegan this year, and if you’re still on the fence about it, then this list is for you.
Veganism…
…is 100% animal-friendly
Although vegetarianism is certainly more animal-friendly than other diets, it still isn’t the best way to help end animal exploitation. Animals kept solely for the purpose of producing dairy products or eggs undergo terrible amounts of stress as they are kept in unnatural and often overcrowded conditions.
Another thing you may not be aware of is that most dairy operations immediately slaughter any male calves that are born, as allowing the calf to feed would mean less milk to sell and the extra cost of raising an animal that will never produce milk.
Other reasons to go vegan include not supporting practices such as the testing of medicines and cosmetics on animals, the use of animals for entertainment in circuses and zoos, and the abuse and neglect of companionship animals.
…is better for the environment
Raising animals for food has been listed as one of the top contributors to the most serious environmental problems by the United Nations. A plant-based diet can greatly reduce your eco-footprint as it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and has fewer negative effects on the environment such as deforestation, water pollution and land degradation.
…is the key to ending world hunger
Producing crops and water to raise farm animals to feed people is an inefficient use of time and resources. If all plant food would be used to directly feed the starving people on this planet rather than farm animals, world hunger issues could be resolved.
…promotes weight loss
While 33% of Americans are currently obese, only 2% of the vegan population is classified as such. A vegan diet is lower in cholesterol and eliminates many of the unhealthy foods that cause obesity, such as meat products, which are a major source of dietary saturated fat.
…can prevent osteoporosis
For bones to be healthy, your diet must consist of a healthy balance of protein, calcium, potassium and sodium. Following a vegan diet enables you to find this perfect balance by not leaning to heavily on meat or dairy products.
…reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers
According to the American Dietetic Association, vegans are less likely to develop cancer, diabetes and heart disease than meat-eaters. This is largely due to the fact that vegans get their required nutrients from healthier sources that are lower in cholesterol and saturated fat.
…can increase your energy levels
A vegan diet can actually increase your energy levels (if you are following a well-balanced and healthy diet) due to the fact that you are eating high-energy foods without the excess fat, sodium and sugar that many non-vegan foods contain.
…reduces your intake of hormones and antibiotics
Farmed animals are given antibiotics and hormones on a regular basis, which means that you will be ingesting these substances when you eat their meat or eggs or other by-products. This can also result in a bacterial resistance to antibiotics that are used to treat human infections.
…increases public awareness of animal cruelty
Veganism enables people to call attention to the plight of helpless animals in a way that would not be possible if they were still supporting animal cruelty by consuming animal products, buying products that have been tested on animals or wearing items of clothing that are made at the expense of an animal.
…is delicious
The vegan diet is far from bland or uninteresting, and most people who go vegan find that their food palate has been greatly expanded as a result of their new lifestyle. From Pad Thai with spicy peanut sauce to spinach Alfredo to sundried tomato and basil pesto sandwiches, there is still plenty to look forward to in the vegan diet.
If after reading this you’re still not sure whether going vegan is something can or even want to do, a one or two-month try-out period might be just the thing to help you make your mind up. Just make sure you take the time to do sufficient research before you start so that you know you’re doing it right (especially in terms of getting the right nutrients in your diet) and giving it a fair chance.
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