“Vegetarian” and “Vegan”, these are two entirely different terms which can get anyone easily confused today. While vegetarians might allow themselves certain concessions like dairy products, vegans may not! For them, being a vegan is much more than just avoiding food obtained from animals and is like a new lifestyle with banning the use of any animal product whether it be a clothing item or footwear.
With so many people switching to a vegan lifestyle, it has become of utmost importance to first thoroughly learn the pros and cons of vegan meals.
What Does A Vegan Meal Include?
A majority of people still consider that a vegan meal can tend to be a bit boring without the addition of some meat or poultry. However, with so much creativity flowing into everyday food, it is amazing to note how much interesting a vegan meal can be made through the use of simple ingredients like:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Nuts, seeds, and grains
- Tofu and tempeh
- Legumes
Remember that a vegan meal is free of any kind of ingredient obtained from animals like oils and sweeteners like honey or refined white sugar. You must use other alternatives such as oils extracted from plants and natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
Benefits Of A Vegan Meal
Despite the confined rules of vegan life, one can be simply dazed by the impactful benefits that veganism brings to not only one’s own self but the whole ecosystem.
Consumption of a proper vegan meal can help reduce weight and skin problems significantly. Vegans tend to grow slimmer yet healthy with clear skin and improved digestive system. It also reduces the risk of potential heart issues like cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure.
Apart from this, the adoption of a vegan lifestyle reduces the demand for meat, poultry, and fish which ultimately results in fewer animals suffering unnatural death. This helps preserve the fragile ecosystem as well as lower the levels of greenhouse gas emissions and eventually climatic change.
Is Veganism For You?
The benefits along with the innovative meals may encourage anyone to adopt a vegan lifestyle, however, keep in mind the restrictions you’ll need to follow. Firstly, you’ll have to eliminate animal products like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and even honey from your diet. Secondly, you’ll have to be extra careful about what you consume outside your house as certain bread and sauces may contain eggs as well as cheese. Thirdly, intake of an unhealthy vegan diet may result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies including iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
Conclusively, it all depends on how well you manage your vegan lifestyle by eating plant-rich meals and learning to say no to animal-based food.