In the year of 2022 it is likely that someone you know or maybe you have yourself ventured into the world of plant based foods. You may be wondering if going vegan is the right decision for you. We are going to explore the benefits of a plant based diet and why you should consider it!

What is a Vegan Diet?

Diving into this topic begs the million dollar question, why is going vegan important? Or is it? Whether you are considering going vegan or know someone who already has, it's important to understand the premise behind it. Plant based products including legumes, vegetables and fruits are the crux of a vegans diet. Anything produced by animals is off limits, including common ingredients like eggs, cheese and honey.

Vegan diets are often confused with vegetarian diets but the two could not be more different. Vegetarians are still, in principle, able to consume specific animal based products like dairy and eggs. Those products would be strictly prohibited in a vegan diet. The benefits of going vegetarian have also been strongly linked to those of veganism.

Why do people choose to be vegan?

Everyone has their unique reasons for choosing veganism but most commonly veganism stems from the urge to protect and advocate for animal rights. There is also an environmental consciousness that exists at the core of veganism; and that reducing our carbon footprint would be drastically improved by limiting animal production.

But what happens to your body when you go vegan? A lot of people choose to go vegan for the health benefits! As research continues to build, it is showing that instituting more plant based elements into your diet may actually help you live a healthier life. Reduce your risk of disease and potentially come to the aid of already existing medical conditions.

Reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes

Meat, more specifically red meat, has been historically linked to heart disease and diabetes due to its high levels of cholesterol and saturated fats. Later research would show that by implementing a low fat vegan diet, serious and potentially life threatening cases of heart disease and type 2 diabetes were reversed.

This very practice has been able to save countless lives!

Try incorporating more chickpeas into your diet! Read more about it here!

Plant Based Diets Support Your Immune System

There are obvious reasons why our parents always harped on us as kids to eat our veggies, and for good reason. Vegetables are great sources of essential vitamins and minerals, as well as being a big source of antioxidants. In fact much of the nutritional value that plants offer cannot be obtained through any other foods.

The antioxidants in plants give power to our cells to fight off infection and disease, ultimately supporting a healthy and strong immune system.

Reduce Your Risk For Cancers

Plant based foods, at the core, are very high in fiber, which is an essential component to maintaining healthy bodily systems. Fiber ultimately promotes gut health which in turn can reduce your risk of developing cancer; more specifically colon cancer!

Plant Based Foods Keep You Fit

Obesity is one of the biggest causes of death in the US and the leading influence of certain serious medical conditions and disease; including but not limited to, hormonal imbalance, inflammation and 12 different types of cancer.

In order to reduce your risk of developing weight related health problems, it is important to consume the right kinds of foods. Plant based diets host an expansive resume of nutritional value, which will aid in keeping the weight off. This begs the question, are vegans healthier? While the topic is still up for debate, there is no second guessing the benefits of a plant based diet!

Chickpeas are a great additive to your diet for weight loss! Read more about it here.

At the end of the day, whatever your reason is, for wanting to transition to a plant based or vegan diet, there are many notable reasons why you should try it! Sometimes making that transition can be hard so be sure to do it slowly. Finding a great vegan snack helps too, and don’t worry because we have you covered there!