Re-Fresh Healthiness

A vegan diet is, perhaps, one of the healthiest diets around. Veganism is similar to vegetarianism, but it goes a step further. Vegetarians eat no meat, but they may eat animal products, such as eggs, yogurt,
honey and milk. Vegans, however, eat no animal products at all. Many people follow a vegan diet for ethical reasons as well as health reasons, as they oppose the use of animals for food. Vegan diets offer
the following advantages:

1. You’ll have a lower risk of serious diseases – A vegan diet has been shown to lower the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.
2. You can more easily regulate diabetes – A strictly plant based diet reduces the amount of required insulin for diabetics. Some diabetics will still require insulin, but they will need less.
3. You will more easily control your weight – A vegan diet will fill you up on fewer calories each day, so you’ll lose weight. In addition, because of the lack of animal products, you’ll likely notice an improvement in your digestive system. Bloating, cramps, constipation, heartburn and diarrhea are uncommon on a vegan diet, once your body has adjusted.
4. Your body will absorb nutrients better – The animal proteins we eat can actually prevent our bodies from absorbing the nutrients in our fruits and vegetables properly. By eating only plant based products, your body can absorb nutrients appropriately. The foods you eat will work better together without the animal products incorporated into the mix.
5. You’ll help the environment – Those who eat a plant based diet create less waste, as most of their groceries are package free. And, nearly all the household waste they do have is biodegradable. Your trash can go directly to the compost pile to enrich the soil.
6. Your immune system will improve – Because you’ll certainly eat more fruits and vegetables than on a diet that includes animal products, you’ll be getting more anti-oxidants, which will help you
   fight off viruses like colds and flu.
7. You’ll save money – Meat is often the most expensive grocery item we buy. By choosing soy and legumes as your primary protein source, you’ll spend less at the grocery store.

Of course, to many people the idea of a vegan diet is pretty overwhelming, because it is even stricter than a vegetarian diet. It’s certain that if you choose a vegan diet, there will be an adjustment period. There may be days when you feel that you have no idea what to eat, and many people find that they eat the same foods over and over again for a period of time, simply because they feel that their choices are so limited. But, if you take the time to research the foods available, as well as how to prepare them, you’ll become
comfortable with the diet before you know it. And, very soon, as well, you’ll start to see weight loss and you’ll start to feel better, too.

Phyllis Zerkle is a freelance blogger and covers topics such as nurse’s assistant and registered nurse career issues.