Considering a vegan diet for the new year? It’s a choice that can have extensive health benefits and is a lot more fun for your taste buds than the green smoothies and same old salads splattered all over your social media feeds may have you believe.
A vegan diet is one where you don’t eat any foods that come from animals, whether the animal died to create it (think meat) or just contributed an ingredient (like cheese).
A popular term these days for a vegan diet is “plant-based,” which is exactly what it sounds like — eating foods that come from plants, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains (though many people who say they eat a “plant-based” diet don’t do so 100% of the time). The perks of eating in this way are well documented, from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol to weight loss. A vegan diet or plant-based one can also reduce your risk of cancer, prevent inflammation and boost your gut health, research shows.
But a vegan diet isn’t by definition nutritious. It depends on the food choices made by the individual. After all, soda, alcohol and french fries are all vegan. That said, if you’re interested in trying out a well-rounded vegan diet, you’re likely to end up eating a lot of fiber (thanks to the fruits and veggies), a lot of seasonal produce and meat-free protein sources, like mushrooms, beans and tofu.
Here’s what to know about trying a vegan diet.
What is a vegan diet?
Put simply, following a vegan diet means you do not eat any products from animals, including meat, eggs, milk, cheese or honey. It’s mostly defined by what you exclude, as a lot of ultra-processed junk food is technically vegan.
To people used to mostly eating animal products, a vegan diet may seem pretty limiting and as though it would require a major lifestyle change. But the truth is it opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to getting creative with nutrient-dense, plant-based foods.
For example, many people on a vegan diet prioritize only eating fruits and vegetables…
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