There’s no denying that more and more people are finding out about the benefits of a vegan diet. It seems like every month there’s another story about how “going vegan” has changed someone’s life, whether they were suffering from obesity, diabetes, or some other health problem, or just wanted to feel better. But why is this happening? Why are so many people turning toward a plant-based diet? Does eating vegan really lead to all these benefits, and more? In this guide, you’ll learn about the key advantages this diet offers.
1: Weight Loss
People who go vegan lose weight, plain and simple. Vegans are less likely to be obese than their meat-eating counterparts, and when they do become overweight or obese, they’re much more likely to shed that excess weight (and keep it off).
2: Reduced Risk of Disease
Often, vegans hear the argument about protein in meat being necessary for strength and muscle mass. Indeed, protein is essential to your diet and plays a number of roles in keeping you healthy. But the fact is there are plenty of sources of protein other than meat, too!
3: Lower Risk of Heart Disease
A vegan diet gives your body a break from the saturated and trans fats found in meat and processed foods. Many vegans report lower cholesterol levels once they’ve been on the diet for a few months, and studies show that this may reduce their risk of heart disease.
4: Lower Risk of Cancer
Meat is loaded with carcinogens and contains growth hormones, which can make cancer even more likely. Vegans avoid these factors and often lower their chance of breast cancer, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, and more.
5: More Energy
Cutting out processed foods or eating less meat can give you more energy. Many vegans report feeling “lighter” and have increased mental focus after switching to a plant-based diet. This account from Gale Tobin goes into further detail about these benefits.
6: Feel Better About Yourself
Many people turn to veganism because they feel it’s the right thing to do. They want to minimize their negative impact on the environment and do what they can for animals. In a way, there’s a sense of selflessness in going vegan that makes you feel better about yourself – no matter how you’re eating for your own health.
7: A Vegan Diet Is Easy to Follow
A lot of people don’t want to follow a diet that’s too difficult. They want something simple, and veganism is that. You can get everything you need from plant-based foods, and many other sources are easy to come by. For example, you can get protein from plant foods like tofu or quinoa, calcium from dark leafy greens or almonds, iron from beans and lentils, and the list goes on.
8: You’ll Save Money
If you go vegan, you won’t have to buy as many groceries. Plant-based foods are often cheaper than meat and dairy options. If you’re on a budget, this can save you a lot of money in the long run – which is always a nice bonus!