The BIG “3” for Veganism – Why We Do It – Don’t Worry, Animal-Rights are #4

Yes we’re a fourth of the way into the year and let’s face it, that New Year Resolution you made to go on a diet, live healthier or go green is just a blimp on your radar.

Well at the risk of sounding like an infomercial-no offense to Ron Popeil.  Love his infomercials at 2:00 in the morning- but I have the magic answer to those resolutions.  The all-in-one solution to all your life’s dilemmas (And no it wont cost you 3 easy monthly payments of $19.99 thank you very much).  Introducing-cue the music- Veganism!  Yes folks I have found the answer to solving your health problems, your weight problems and good ole mother nature’s problems.

Okay, let me back up for a second.  For those who might not be familiar with the terms vegan or veganism, Wikipedia defines it as “a diet and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”  Although there are different degrees of veganism, generally living the life of a vegan requires a lot of diligent work and.  For example, you have to know how and where the products you are buying are being manufactured.  However, the benefits often outnumber the labor involved.   Here are just three ways veganism can be beneficial to your everyday life:

Health Benefits

Since vegan diets do not contain heart-clogging cholesterol and, for the most part, are low in fat, the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease is reduced.  In fact, a British research published in the July-August, 2005 Vegetarian Journal compared 21 vegans to 25 non-vegetarians similar in age and BMI (Body Mass Index).  Not only did the vegans have lower blood pressure, they also had lower blood triglycerides levels and lower fasting blood glucose levels than the non-vegetarians.

Weight Loss

In 2005 the American Journal of Medicine conducted a study on low-fat, plant based diets.  Not surprisingly, the study showed these diets were more effective at helping the participants lose weight.  Vegan diets are primarily made of fruits and veggies, combined with protein rich foods like tofu and nuts which help regulate the blood sugar in your system.  What does that mean?  No more mid-morning crashes.  Your tummy feels full and your mind remains on other things beside the box of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts your coworker brought in this morning.

Environment

Let’s face it we ALL need to start thinking about our carbon footprint.  A vegan lifestyle tends to take Mother Nature into consideration.  According to the UN “the livestock sector emerges as one of the top 2 or 3 most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems.”  Simply eliminating the consumption of animal products can reduce one of the most sizable environmental problems.  If that is not an enough of an eye-opener just think about the following stats Earthsave International compiled:

• Over 80% of the corn and oats grown in the U.S. are fed to livestock;
• An acre can produce either 165 pounds of beef or 20,000 pounds of potatoes;
• It can take 50 times more fossil fuels to produce a meat-centered diet compared to a    meat-free diet;
• It takes 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat and 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat.

The effects of living a vegan lifestyle can have an impact on your health, your diet and the environment as a whole.  There are endless ways a vegan lifestyle can improve your well-being.

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