In fact, according to Plant Based News, there’s been a 600% increase in people identifying as vegan in the US in the last 3 years[1]. Even some mainstream health organizations such as The American Dietetic Association and The American Diabetes Association are speaking up and recommending a plant based diet. But what’s most interesting about the vegan diet is the fact that it’s not just about the meals you eat. There are also the positives of improving our environment and the planet we live on.

• Have you ever stopped to think about what you eat, why you eat it, and how it affects your body?
• Is your diet swayed by what society tells you is healthy, yet you’ve never actually looked into any of it yourself?
• Do you think you’re actually eating according to the essential nutrients your body needs to thrive?

If you answered no to any of these questions and are interested in exploring some alternatives to your diet, here are some topics to think about.

Fat Loss, Energy Gain: Although it’s not an absolute, it’s very common to slim down on a vegan diet. And as long as you’re getting the proper amount, the macronutrients and micronutrients that your body needs will cause a noticeable boost in energy as well.

Getting Protein

Most American’s actually get about twice the protein they need. All protein is initially made by plants which are loaded with protein.

Healthy How?

Plant based diets have had a huge impact on the medical industry. As the gradual shift of this trend occurs, more and more American hospitals are removing processed meats from their menus and replacing them with healthy and whole vegan meals.

Murder for Money

Humans actually force animals to give birth just to fatten them up, kill them, eat them, and then after all that wear their skin?

Saving the Planet

Animal food production is the world’s leading cause of climate change. And livestock alone accounts for more than 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan or vegetarian diet could cut those emissions by 70% and 63%, respectively [2].

Decrease Your Risk for Disease

Heart disease is almost entirely preventable and yet it’s one of the biggest killers today. According to a study done by the American Heart Association, vegetarian diets can reduce heart disease by almost 50% compared to eating meat.[3]

Feeding the Hungry

There’s no doubt that vegan diets are a more sustainable way to live. Avoiding eating animal products is an easy way to reduce the stress on food now and in the future.

Less Clean Up

One of the greatest things about eating plant based meals is that you don’t have to worry about cross contamination or scrubbing pans for what feels like forever. Everything you cook will come cleaner quicker and leave surfaces uncontaminated with bacteria.

Bigger, Stronger

Did you ever notice that the largest and strongest terrestrial animals on the planet are herbivores? Let me put this into perspective for you… Elephants, Rhinos and Gorillas all survive on a 100% plant based diet.

Veganism isn’t the only healthy choice for your diet, it’s just one of the options out there. But unlike fads that come and go, veganism is found in nature and environmentally friendly, as well as being healthy. And although it may not be for everyone, maybe you’ll give that black bean burger a try next time.

SOURCES

1 https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/veganism-skyrockets-by-600-in-america-over-3-years-to-6-of-population

2 http://time.com/4266874/vegetarian-diet-climate-change/

3 http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Vegetarian-Diets_UCM_306032_Article.jsp#.W3DwPpNKhmA