WHY ARE PEOPLE TURNING VEGAN?
This radical shift towards clean eating aims at reducing cruelty to animals as well as the environment. Veganism has been backed by experts as a simple way to reduce blood sugar, and blood pressure and boost immunity. While celebs like Kangana Ranaut affirm that dairy products cause acidity, she switched to veganism as a healthy eating habit, other celebs like Aamir Khan and R Madhavan have turned vegan expressing their concern for animals. Virat Kohli also turned to healthy plant-based meals to improve his performance!
A survey in 2019 found that 63% of Indians were willing to replace meat with plant-based options. Veganism is all set to mark its presence in India. It has gained the limelight when celebs all around the world adopted it.
Veganuary, a UK Non-profit organization that promotes veganism stated in its latest survey that veganism in India is expected to register a notable growth by the end of 2021 as the people are understanding the health benefits of a vegan diet such as low cholesterol, weight loss and many more.
VEGAN V/S VEGETARIAN
Vegans exclude all forms of animal exploitation from their diets including milk and eggs as they harm cows and chickens. Vegetarians consume dairy products as well as honey, without realizing that animals are harmed by this too. A vegan diet excludes the consumption of animal protein as well. Most vegans prefer uncooked and under processed food. They derive nutrition from plant sources such as beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products. A typical vegan diet looks like: whole grains such as oats, barley, and millet; legumes, beans, and peas; fresh fruits and vegetables; nuts and seeds; soy foods like tofu.
A common vegetarian diet does not include fish, or meat but may include some animal products like milk, and eggs. Due to the better availability of vitB12, zinc, Vit D, and calcium, a vegetarian diet becomes easy to access. Strict vegans might also not use leather bags, wool, beeswax, or cosmetics that test animals.
However, both vegan and vegetarian diets have nutritional benefits like low fat, high fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Veganism may provide more health benefits in terms of heart health, promoting weight loss, and lowering BMI levels.
BENEFITS OF VEGAN DIETS
A person is less likely to suffer from Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamins C and E. They have lower calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. According to a study, vegans when compared to vegetarians, tend to be thinner and have lower cholesterol.
PLANTS BASED FOODS THAT CAN BE CONSUMED
There are many natural and nutritious ways to consume a vegan diet.
Plant-based milk is a good option instead of cow’s milk. Plant milk has less saturated fat and is lower in calories. Certain food items like tofu, tempeh, mushrooms, potatoes, jackfruit, lentils, beans and legumes, nuts peanut butter, and many more provide excellent nutritional values in place of animal products.
Plant-based meals are cholesterol-free and lactose-free too, also having a low environmental footprint.
Tofu– It is created by pressing soybean curds. This soy-rich food is full of protein and alternative to meat, fish, eggs
Legumes– Beans, lentils, and peas are very beneficial. we can sprout or ferment them to enhance their nutritional value.
Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds may also reduce inflammation and certain skin conditions.
Nuts– These are a good source of iron, fiber, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E (use unroasted for more health benefits)
LETS HAVE A LOOK AT PLANT BASED DELIGHTS
Aren’t we tired of dairy-based milk chocolates?
Here we have a perfect blend of plant-based and healthy chocolate to lift you!
We can’t say no to this indulging hand-crafted chocolate with rich cocoa, smoothness of ground hazelnut and cashew nuts along with healthy seeds.
These delectable bars with rich cocoa, smoothness of ground hazelnut and cashew nuts along with the crunch of almonds and cranberries add a perfect taste to your mouth!
It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and 100% plant-based without any refined sugars and preservatives. This one is meant to melt in your mouth!
Potential Health Concerns
There are plenty of nutritional benefits of a vegan diet but there might be certain nutrients that vegans might be deficient in. These are:
Iron: Vegans may be prone to developing iron deficiency. Since iron is very important to blood health, it is crucial to iron-rich plants food with food rich in vitamin C.
Here is a very amazing supplement for women especially on a vegan diet.
It’s a great iron supplement for women which is vegan friendly and gluten-free. It helps reduce the risk of Iron Deficiency Anaemia, supports pregnancy, and compensates for the monthly menstrual iron loss, boosts immunity.
100% Women’s RDA: One capsule delivers 100% Women’s RDA for Iron
One capsule provides 100% RDA of vitamin C and contains Iron as Ferrous BisGlycinate, which is easier to digest and absorb.
It has Vitamin C which facilitates better iron absorption and strengthens the immune system. Its CZen-IronTM, a standardized plant extract for Iron, helps increase the hemoglobin and red blood cell count in the blood.
Other health concerns include deficiency of Vitamin B12 which is mainly present in animal products. Plant-based sources for this can include plant-based milk, cereals, and nutritional yeast.
Eating Tofu and green leafy veggies can make up your calcium!
Beans, nuts, and oats can provide a high amount of zinc for the immune system and the repair of DNA damage.
EPA and DHA can be only sourced from algae oil and seaweeds. (Omega 3 fatty acids are important for heart, eye, and brain function)
THE BOTTOMLINE
Vegan diets are the new epoch towards a healthy lifestyle. It not only provides a happy diet but a healthy environment too. People who adopt a vegan diet have to look at the complete fulfillment of nutrients as discussed earlier.
“Veganism is not a sacrifice. It is a joy” – Gary L. Francione
Grab your vegan products on: https://foodvez.com/
