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The Vegan Diet, or veganism, is a modified form of vegetarianism, in that like a vegetarian, a vegan does not eat meat. However, veganism takes it one step further by eliminating all animal products from one’s diet, as well, one's life, including animal based soaps, leather, honey, and dairy.
There are many ethical, environmental and personal reasons why an individual will choose a Vegan lifestyle. Gaining popularity for these reasons, including, but not limited to, weight loss, the vegan diet supports weight loss through the ingestion of whole grains, leafy greens, nuts, legumes and soy/rice milks.
In September 2005, the American Journal of Medicine released a study of participants showing that a low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping people lose weight and improve insulin-sensitivity than an omnivorous (both plant and meat) diet.
In addition, those countries who consume no meat for religious or cultural reasons report lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and high-blood pressure.
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- Vegans generally post lower overall weight rates, or BMIs, than omnivores or carnivores
- As veganism grows in popularity, supportive industries are becoming more prevalent, including restaurants and specialty stores catering to the vegan dieter
- Vegans tend to be better informed than the average consumer as to where their food comes from, and are in a better position to support local sustainability for their community at large
- Vegans must be well-scripted as to how grains and legumes combine to make complete proteins or deficiencies may develop
- A vegan must be diligent in uncovering hidden animal products, such as rennet (a coagulator/emulsifier), honey (a sweetener) or gelatin (an emulsifier and/or transporter of vitamins/herbs)
- Generally speaking, a vegan has better success living with other vegans, rather than having to endure the hazing from meat-eaters who feel, erroneously, that they are being judged for eating meat
The growing popularity of the Vegan Diet has parlayed into hundreds of websites, books and support groups, providing information via numerous sources to support compliance and convenience.
In a nutshell, the typical vegan diet includes:
- Oatmeal
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Cereal
- Whole-grain toast
- 100% fruit juices
- Peanut butter, nuts and peanuts
- Frozen fruit desserts
- Lentil soup
- Salad bar items like chickpeas and three bean salad
- Fruit
- Pasta
- Fruit smoothies
- Popcorn
- Guacamole
- Chili
- Tofu lasagna, chili, turkey, etc.
- Soy milk and dairy like ice cream and yogurt
- Hummus
- Eggless cookies
- Rice pudding
- Beans and lentils
- Oat nut burgers and vegetable burgers
A quick peek at the grocery store will reveal a plethora of products to support the vegan diet, most of which are even tastier than the meat-based counterparts.
While there is not a link to veganism and activity per se, Vegans generally have a deep respect of their environment, and tend to eschew fossil fuels. This translates to increased walking and/or utilizing public transportation methods, which in turn increases physical activity.
The Vegan Diet is not necessarily a diet, but rather, a lifestyle. Making a decision to be a Vegan is one that creates awareness and promotes responsibility. While diets come in a variety of packages, at their core, they are all a method for increasing awareness about one’s food intake, which will in turn, contribute to weight loss.
Veaganism, Veagan, veegan, veghan, vegetarian
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Vegan Diet
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User Feedback
(Page 1 of 2, 28 total comments)Alexandra
Hi.
posted Mar 13th, 2017 3:16 amI just trudge from the fact that I do not eat fish, meat and seafood. I started to cook, at what I did not like before (I wrote about this already), and cooking is now a pleasure, and it turns out magically delicious. For example, today we have a red lentil stew for dinner.
Need lentils-1 glass, rinse and boil for 10 minutes, then take and cut the squash, eggplant, onions, carrots rub and cut the greens. Carrots with onion fry a little in a pan. After the lentils are cooked, add all the ingredients there, and after the final cooking add the greens.
Jen
Food combining is not necessary! That concept went out of fashion in the 1950s. We've known for a long time that that's not true, so maybe it's time to update this article! The other cons are ridiculous too.
posted Jan 15th, 2015 3:16 pmTT
Des I have been migraine free for 11 years now (I also had them all the time) For me it was the elimination of beef and food dye. I discovered this via a food sensitivity test. I was given a list of never eat, eat sometimes and eat always. Lost 45 lbs and have kept it off since. My diet consists mostly of whole grains, fruit, veg and rice protein. Look up allergy elimination or food sensitivity testing. Hope that helps. Good luck!
posted May 1st, 2012 3:18 amDes
I am looking at to a more vegan ("flex-itarian") lifestyle. My firm belief is if you can't kill it you shouldn't eat it. I buy from small ranchers and local butchers because I try to be conscious of the animals. I have suffered from migraines my entire life, has anyone had this problem then had a change? I've tried everything at this point under the sun, to no avil. I feel helpless.
posted Feb 9th, 2012 9:09 pmJustcandyce
One menu item missing is greens, including salads and cooked leafy vegetables - also added to smoothies.
posted Aug 15th, 2011 10:45 pmsuz
Vegetarianism and veganism isn't for everyone, but as an animal lover and someone who cares about the environment, one day it just "clicked" for me. I've lost 40 lbs and am now a healthy BMI of 21.5. My skin has improved, and my metabolism is no longer sluggish. I recommend it!
posted May 19th, 2011 11:29 amNewVegan
Being new to this lifestyle I can use all the recipes and help i can get. I have been red meat free for 2 years and just recently decided that all meat is out. After viewing a film on how animals are treated and processed from the beginning...I will no longer be a part of the cruel ways of the farm industry.
posted Apr 26th, 2011 10:51 amnuitgoddess
+Any one who chooses to be a long term Vegetarian or Vegan should do some research to ensure that they get all their vitamins and minerals. For example, it s not easy to get sufficient B12 on a veggie diet.
posted Feb 14th, 2011 9:14 pmIt is worth the benefits to go vegan/vegetarian.
Sharitaly
I have just recently started the plant-based way of life and love it! I am a nurse, used to be on the Atkins diet (ugh), and now I feel so much better in just 2 weeks! This will be my new way of life. Those who do not buy that Vegan is more healthy, you can check out the Mayo Clinics research study on Cardiovascular disease. The science is there.
posted Oct 21st, 2010 3:19 amrick gambrell
i have health problems! diabetes, hypertension, gout arthritus! im sick of putting drugs in my body! i wanna live healthy! im 370 @ 6ft ineed to change something! im dying slowly@ 39yrs old! help!
posted Sep 26th, 2010 7:57 pmRyan Bush
I am a vegan bodybuilder who gets the right amount of protein. I used to be a meat eater and notice a big difference in my health and well being. Now, after I eat I never feel weighed down or heavy, just a lot of energy.
posted Aug 26th, 2010 9:56 amsteve flam
+Someone should start MEA: meat eaters annonymous, for one morsal of meat product and one goes into a binge. I am a vegan again and hopefully this time it lasts. I feel healthier; I am sleeping better; my psoriasis is faded and I no longer need to take an aspirin to thin my blood. It is the answer for so many health conditions.
posted Feb 27th, 2010 9:29 ammaria
+i been doing this for about 2 months and i love it. i been losing weight and have more energy. i should've done this years ago
posted Aug 21st, 2009 11:17 pmBarbara
+I have dieted all my life and find this the most comfortable for me. I really like it.
posted Jun 8th, 2009 3:11 pmKeri
+Love it...I lost 8lbs already! and I considered myself a "healthy" eater before. BUT...I'm very active and I'm finding a major drop in energy...since I mostly here the opposite is this something that will pass or should I change something??
posted Apr 7th, 2009 5:03 pmMOH
+Its all good and i think i can be a vegan now, i am avegitarian for 5 years now, but i want to go even beyond, this is good what i heard now.
posted Apr 7th, 2009 1:38 amveg4life
+I've been vegetarian most of my life and a vegan for 5 years now... It's the best decision I've ever made... I highly recommend it... My doctors are impressed of how healthy I am (because I'm healthier than them) lol, and not to mention I have tons of energy, and can eat more with worrying about gaining weight!! =)
posted Mar 21st, 2009 7:31 pmDiana
+I've been vegetarian most of my life and a vegan for 5 years now... It's the best decision I've ever made... I highly recommend it... My doctors are impressed of how healthy I am (because I'm healthier than them) lol, and not to mention I have tons of energy, and can eat more with worrying about gaining weight!! =)
posted Mar 21st, 2009 7:26 pmkaty
+ive been a vegan for only two weeks and i already lost 4 pounds! =D
posted Feb 23rd, 2009 9:34 pmRiceypuffcake
+I have been vegan for a lil over 3 months now. I am following "The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss" This is a great book to get you into being Vegan if you need to loose weight too! He has other books that aren't as restrictive as well. I have lost a bit of weight but the BEST part is my energy level has shot through the roof, my acne is completely gone and my skin has a healthy glow now! I no longer have the daily aches and pains or headaches I used to have either! McDougall tells you how to eat healthier and WHY to eat healthier. He goes into great detail about how eating right makes you healthy and voids you of common health problems and how this solution is pretty much ignored by the medical industry because there is no money in it. His books are a definite read!
posted Feb 7th, 2009 1:33 am