Should you Eliminate Meat and Dairy and Go Vegan?

Keep Calm and Go Vegan

Here is an article from Fitness Republic that I might have to add to my Vegan Starter Kit. Check it below:

The last few decades have seen an increase in the number of people switching to a meat free and dairy free diet, also known as a vegan diet. This increased popularity is due to its nutritional advantages. This particular diet is high on nutritional ingredients like fiber, vitamins and folic acid.

How to Become a Vegan

A vegan diet consists solely of vegetables and fruits. Only fruits which are rich in anti-oxidants are to be consumed and every type of diary product and meat and eggs is avoided. There are many benefits and dangers associated with this kind of diet as mentioned below.

Benefits of a Vegan Diet

Vegan diet has many ingredients that can help you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Vegan diet has fiber, folic acid and many other phytochemicals. This diet is also low in calories, which can help you lose weight, and reduce your risk of heart disease

Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Vegans typically low levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, the key factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Fruits and vegetables are the two primary ingredients of their diet. These fruits and vegetables have a very high content of antioxidants and phytochemicals which help in lowering the cholesterol level that ultimately reduces the risk of heart failure.

Reduced Risk of Cancer

Studies from Adventist Health Department show that non0vegetarians face a greater risk of developing colorectal and prostate cancer. Obesity is one of the major elements that can cause cancer. Vegans in general have lower body mass index than vegetarians that can decrease the chances of developing any kind of cancer. All the nutrients in the vegan diet can help you prevent cancer.
Meat free diet and diary free diet offer a blend of phytochemicals that are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-proliferative activity. With this wide show of functional phytochemicals in the veggie lover approach, it is shocking that populace studies have not indicated more proclaimed contrasts in disease occurrence or death rates between vegans and non-vegans.

The bio accessibility of the phytochemicals, which depends in addition to everything else on nourishment readiness strategies, may be a critical confirming component. Then again, new confirmation proposes that a low vitamin D status, an issue regularly reported in veggie lover population, is connected with an expanded danger of diseases.

Cons of a Vegan Diet

Meat free diet and diary free diet lacks quality protein which are found in foods like fish, eggs and milk. This particular diet is not advisable for women that are going through pregnancy, as protein deficiency can cause rickets, irregular growth and malnutrition in fetus. Other than protein deficiency these diary free diet has low content of calcium. This can affect bone health and can lead to fractures and other bone related disorders. Inadequate amount of calcium intake can affect females more as it can lead to arthritis which is characterized by weak bones and dislocation of several joints.

Environmental Effects

Vegans basically avoid meat and dairy products and consume large quantities of fruits and vegetables. Many vegans avoid meat because it will involve slaughtering of animals. Vegans believe that livestock farming can be damaging for our planet. They condemn the whole idea of animal farming because a large area of land, fertilizer, and resources are “wasted” in manufacturing animal feed. They believe that these resources would be better utilized if they were used to feed humans. Ground water and rivers are polluted immensely from the waste of animals and therefore it is commonly believed that everyone should adopt vegan-ism.

Monetary Advantages of a Vegan Diet

Along with many health benefits adopting a vegan diet can help you cut down your monthly food expenses. The cost difference between the two diets is massive. For instance green vegetables are just as good a source of calcium as milk, yet milk costs more.

Should you Switch?

This depends totally on you. If you think that the benefits of a meat free and dairy free vegan diet outweigh the cost, a vegan diet is well worth it. However, you will have to come up with alternative ways to get the protein and calcium you are missing out on.  Don’t forget to get your doctor’s opinion before you switch though! Happy chomping!

Read more: http://www.fitnessrepublic.com/nutrition/should-you-eliminate-meat-and-dairy-and-go-vegan.html#ixzz2eEOb3onc

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