Going vegan is a great way towards a healthier and happier new year. What many people mistakenly think is that it is hard, when in fact, it is easy, fun and delicious. Those who follow a vegan diet, also called a plant-based diet, do not eat meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin. But veganism expands further than diet. It is a way of life.
Benefits of Going Vegan for The New Year
Being vegan feels good. For real, as vegan diets have more complex carbohydrates that increase the feel good hormone serotonin in the brain.
Weight loss
A vegan diet consists mainly of fruits, vegetables and plants so no wonder many claim to have lost weight. But, if this is your goal, do pay attention as there are many junk-food vegan options as well.
Better health
Vegans have a cancer rate that is only 40 percent that of meat-eaters. People who consume animal-derived foods are also at increased risk for many other illnesses, including cancer, strokes, obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, multiple allergies, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A vegan diet also results in reduced cholesterol levels as cholesterol is only found in animal-derived foods.
Save money
Eating veggies benefits your health and your wallet they are cheaper than animal-based food. Beans, rice, pasta, and tofu are also less expensive than meat.
More adventure
By going vegan, you get to explore a whole new and exciting world.
More kindness
Animals are the kindest creatures on the planet. What could be kinder than sparing their lives by switching to a plant-based diet and opting not to wear fur.
Reduced carbon footprint
Worldwatch Institute reported that animal agriculture accounts for as much as 51% of global greenhouse emissions. This is why going vegan has such a significant impact.
Save water
Choosing a shower over a bath is an energy-efficient choice, but going vegan is a much more powerful one as more than half of the water used in the United States today goes to animal agriculture.
Tips for Sticking to Your Vegan Lifestyle
- People who abandon the vegan ship usually say it’s because they felt they were not getting enough ingredients or just found the food to be boring. This does not have to be case at all, if you know your way around it.
- If you are starving, you are doing it wrong. Add avocado, seeds or some vegan cheese to your salad and notice the difference. Embrace healthy fat, there’s nothing to fear as your body needs it to be in optimal health.
- Adapt your favorite recipes to be vegan. You can do it- and odds are, you can make them even more delicious. Make a vegan Bolognese with soya protein. Replace ricotta cheese with blended cashews and enjoy! Any non-vegan meal can be turned vegan.
- Odds are that these documentaries will be the scariest thing you will ever see. But, we must open our eyes and be aware of this dreadful reality in order to be able to take action and change it. There are also many books that explain why is vegan food our best medicine.
With just a few appliances, you will be able to save money, cut down on prep time, and easily cook like a vegan pro. To begin with, air fryers are very popular in the vegan community as they make it easy to make delicious and crispy meals that are also healthy.
Then there are instant pots with magical powers that cut cook time in half which will also lower your Centerpoint Energy costs. A spiralizer will allow you to make your own noodles out of zucchini or anything under the sun. A cast iron-skillet will provide you with grilled tofu, tasty mushrooms to delicious pancakes. If you are fan of Asian food, you can invest in a bamboo steamer basket that allows you to steam food wontons, buns and tamales all at once in multiple layers.
Takeaway
Going vegan will make you healthier. It will make you happier. It will make your more beautiful, inside and out. But overall, it will make the world a better place to live in. Veganism is more than a diet, it is a way of life that is centered around protecting our health, animals and the planet that is our one and only home.