The Reason for the Season is Vegan!

A Vegan refers to a person or diet that follows a “Vegan” lifestyle.  A Vegan diet is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients and meats of any kind. A large number of vegans do not eat foods that are made using animal products but may not contain animal products in the finished process, such as refined white sugar and some wines and honey. Some liquors are made with a vegan diet in mind. A number of vegans also avoid the use of all products that are tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool.

Following a vegan diet should be a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, minerals, vitamins, legumes, beans, omega-3 fats, calcium, and iodine. A vegan diet can consist of beans, peas, whole-grain breads, spinach, raisins, apricots, peaches, nuts, seeds, and iron-fortified cereals as well as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage and broccoli.

Another category of a vegan diet is a “raw vegan diet” which consists of eating unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). Vegans who go “raw” believe that foods cooked above this temperature lose a significant amount of their nutritional value and are harmful to the body.

A large number of regular foods are prepared with the vegan diet in mind. They include hot dogs, ice-cream, cheese and even vegan mayonnaise. These vegan styled products can be found at most major grocery stores including Giant, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s as well as other grocery chains around the country.

There are many different reasons why people choose a vegan diet. For some people it is a religious choice. For others, it is a lifestyle they have chosen to pursue. There a number of benefits that a vegan lifestyle can provide. All the benefits though can only be realized if a well rounded, well-balanced diet is followed.

1. The Cancer Society suggests that getting most of your foods from a plant base and limiting high-fat foods particularly those from animals will lower your chances of getting different types of cancer. The Cancer society claims that diets high in fruits and vegetables will prevent approximately 20 percent or more of all types of cancer and a 40 percent lower risk of cancer.
2. A vegan diet can help lower a cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also lead to stronger bones.
3. A vegan diet can help lower blood pressure and lower incidences of diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
4. Scientific studies have shown that a low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping women lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity. Studies also show that obesity and being overweight are less prevalent with a plant-based diet.

The benefits of a vegan lifestyle are available to anyone who is diligent in making sure they are following a balanced vegan diet.