10 Benefits of adapting to a Vegan Lifestyle
A vegan lifestyle doesn’t sound too appetizing to most meat, cheese, and egg lovers. However, a vegan lifestyle can be kind to your health and your wallet. You also gain the benefit of knowing that you’re being kinder to animals and the environment. Making the switch isn’t easy, but you might find it a little easier if you know more about the benefits that come with this powerful way of living.
It’s not necessary to make a complete change overnight. It took me a year to fully transition to a vegan lifestyle. Make the change slowly over time. Note how you feel and then decide how you’d like to progress. Journaling helps tremendously.
A Vegan lifestyle has many advantages to offer:
1. Vegans enjoy better overall health
You can count on having lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, risk of heart disease, and risk of Type-2 diabetes. Before going vegan I suffered from high blood pressure and my doctor put me on medications. After going vegan I slowly weaned off the medications and I am happy to say that my blood pressure has normalized.
2. A Vegan lifestyle is better for the environment
The resources necessary for meat production are significant. Far more water and land are required to provide one serving of beef than one service of fruit, grains, or vegetables. Consider how much grain a cow or pig must consume to reach adult weight.
3. It’s kinder to animals
Animals raised for meat often live horrible lives, not to mention they’re all eventually killed before they die of natural causes. Poor living conditions are the norm for animals used to provide meat. Even cows raised for milk production or chickens raised for eggs often endure unpleasant living conditions.
4. You decrease your psychological dependence on food
Vegans tend to be thin. One reason is the high-bulk and low calories found in many vegan foods. The other reason has to do with the lack of psychological satisfaction vegan foods provide. A bowl of beans isn’t quite as enticing as a bowl of ice cream, especially if you’re not hungry in the first place.
* Vegans are much less likely to overeat.
5. Disease prevention
Vegans enjoy lower incidence of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
6. Lower body weight
Vegan populations have lower body mass indices that those that consume meat regularly.
7. Longevity is increased
Those that avoid meat and milk products live an average of six years longer than those that consume those food products. A vegan lifestyle can be a reliable way to ensure you spend a few more years living your life.
8. Migraine relief
Vegan’s report having fewer migraine headaches than non-vegans. Those that routinely suffer from migraine headaches can often find relief by adopting a vegan diet.
9. Fewer contaminants in food
Meat, milk, and eggs can potentially introduce unhealthy chemicals into the diet. Many herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals can concentrate in animal-based fat. The animals that provide these foods are often given growth hormones and antibiotics that can remain in the products you consume.
10. A Vegan lifestyle can be less expensive
Meat and cheese tend to be expensive food items. Processed vegan meats and cheeses can be costly as well. Consider how inexpensive beans, rice, oatmeal, and many vegetables can be. That’s not to say a vegan can’t spend a lot of money at the grocery store, but the option to keep food costs to a minimum is there.
Becoming vegan requires dedication, planning, and sacrifice. There are many benefits you’ll enjoy by eating a vegan diet. The diet can benefit your health, finances, self-esteem, and your waistline. The environment also benefits when fewer animal products are consumed. Consider these advantages and decide if a vegan lifestyle is for you.
Start slowly and have a few vegan meals each week. Notice how you feel 2–4 hours after consuming them. This alone might be a good enough reason to make the switch.If you need help during your transition be sure to follow this blog and my Instagram and facebook .
