The vegan diet is getting increasingly popular. But, many are still pretty confused as to what it really is.
What is it exactly? What does going vegan entail? How is it different from vegetarianism? What risks does it pose? These are some common questions many have. Inquiries such as these are essential to understanding this lifestyle.
Let us learn more about what going vegan really means.
An Overview
Vegans are essentially on a plant-based diet. (Source: Pixabay.com)
In the most basic sense, veganism or simply being vegan is a type of lifestyle. It encompasses your diet, purchasing choices, and how you live your everyday life. It is mainly being conscious about what one consumes for the sake of the environment.
So, what you eat and drink becomes restricted. This is what many know about vegans - they eat plant-based foods. As vegans choose to do no harm to animals, especially those that have been killed cruelly, they do not consume any products or byproducts of any animal. These include milk, eggs, cheese, and other dairy products.
Sustainable Companies
The type of company that vegans purchase goods from is also something they are conscious of. Practitioners prefer companies that use sustainable materials and also sell sustainable products - even when they are of a higher price value.
Vegans aim to reduce their carbon footprint while still consuming the essentials. So they transact with big and small companies that do their part in creating quality goods which are great for both the environment and the consumer.
There are many pros and cons to the vegan lifestyle, so it can be confusing for many. What can and cannot be eaten, for example. Food is generally the most asked about.
Weight Loss
Besides making the Earth a better place, one of the main positives about adopting a vegan lifestyle is the weight loss.
Vegans continue to report achieving a lighter Body Mass Index (BMI) than when they were not vegan. Many make the switch due to this promise. People then will stick to plant-based meals, drink herbal detox teas made for weight loss and fruit juices, take vitamins and supplements, consume protein powders, and include superfoods in their diets.
Just note though that weight loss is a goal for anyone on any type of diet. Being a vegan, however, does promote weight loss when meals are prepared with health and balance in mind.
Types of Vegan Diet
As said above, vegans are on a plant-based diet. This is to defer from any form of animal cruelty and exploitation. Anything that has to do with animals, vegans won’t have it in their fridge.
Whole-Food Diet
This type of vegan diet prioritizes whole foods. These include all fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds.
Raw Veganism
Have as many fruits as you want on a raw veganism diet (Source: Pixabay.com)
A bit on the extreme side yet still quite popular around the world, this restricts the individual to eating only raw vegan food. This means uncooked vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, and other plants.
A general measurement used is the temperature of the food. Whatever is consumed must be at a temperature below 118°F or 48°C.
80/10/10
This type is another raw vegan diet. The difference being, the 80/10/10 limits plants that are rich in fat from being consumed. Things like nuts and avocados are a no-no.
The main food source is raw fruits that are low in fat and soft greens. This is also known as the low-fat version of the raw veganism diet. Some also call this the fruitarian diet.
Starch Solution
If you are someone who likes working out and wants to go vegan, this diet could be the key to achieving your health and body goals. The starch solution focuses on a high-carb but low-fat diet. Instead of greens, you consume more starch-rich food. These include potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, and corn.
Although vegetables and fruits are still in the mix, the starch solution encourages vegan foods rich in carbohydrates to be consumed.
Junk-Food Vegan
Who says going vegan means letting go of your favorite packet of chips? The Junk-Food vegan diet is for those who cannot let go of their pizza and the taste of meats. It allows eaters to consume mock meats, vegan cheese, fries, vegan chocolate, and other processed food that are plant-based (including Oreos).
The Junk-Food vegan diet is great for those transitioning from an omnivore existence to a plant-based one. You will not miss your burgers.
Supplementary Goods
It is not a secret that the vegan diet has numerous restrictions. But, the body still needs things like protein, zinc, vitamin B12, and magnesium.
Taking supplements is a must for any vegan. If one is feeling fatigued, low in mood, or dizzy, it may be time to look into taking vitamins and supplements specifically curated for a vegan diet.
So which type of vegan diet do you think is for you?
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About the Author
Fannie from Vegan Liftz
Fannie is a content developer and entrepreneur who runs a content writing business. She is fascinated with data, marketing, and web content writing. Loves coffee and adventures.
