“Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And to me, your soul is your intent. If your intent is pure, you are pure.” -Erykah Badu
You may have been drawn to veganism because of the health benefits of a plant-based diet or maybe because your favorite celebrity has shown you how the lifestyle benefits them. Either way, veganism is now much more mainstream and its popularity has been fueled by celebrities such as Bey and Jay making the lifestyle more accessible and appealing. Whether or not you fully commit to the entire lifestyle is up to you, however let’s check out some pros and cons to find out if a vegan diet is the move for you.
PRO: A VEGAN DIET PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS
One of the immediate results of adopting a vegan diet is weight loss. When you adopt this lifestyle, you eliminate many foods that are high in fat and calories. The weight loss that results from adopting a vegan diet is due to the much lower fat content in vegetables, fruits and grains as compared to meat and dairy.
CON: EXCESSIVE WEIGHT LOSS CAN BECOME WEIGHT GAIN
Vegan diets are very restrictive, so many first-timers may find that they’re hungrier than usual and will reach out for highly processed carbs, sugary, fatty foods and even vegan-formulated snacks.
PRO: VEGANS ARE AT REDUCED RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS
Vegan diets are highly effective in protecting against hypertension, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, according to a 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Plant-based diets being low in saturated fats, make vegans less prone to obesity, and have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
CON: LOSS OF ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Vegan diets can lack calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12 and folate, all of which are present in meat and dairy. Fortunately vegans can get these vitamins and nutrients from a variety of fortified foods and from supplements.
Armed with the right knowledge, you can decide whether veganism is right for you and make decisions on how to incorporate it into your lifestyle. Keep in mind that perhaps pescatarian, a diet sans meat but allowing fish, may be a better fit for you. Do your research brothers and live well.
*You should consult your physician or other health care professional before making any dietary changes.*
By Written By Marc Kelly
