A Vegan Diet
Supports a Healthy Life
A vegan diet is one that omits all animal products—meat, fish and poultry, like
vegetarians
—but in addition, vegans do not use other animal products such as dairy, eggs, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, and cosmetics and soaps that have animal-derived ingredients.
Why Become Vegan?
People choose to be vegan for different reasons—ethical or moral concerns (having to do with animal welfare and rights), health issues, or environmental concerns.
This web page’s focus is primarily information about the vegan diet, rather than the reasons behind the decisions people make to become vegan.
Vegan Health
I know I am healthier eating a plant-based diet, but many people need to see studies that show this diet is healthier. The TV news is filled with conflicting and changing information and, sadly, the TV is the main source of education for many people.Research has shown that a vegan diet is supportive of good health--a healthy heart diet--in lowering risks of stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and many forms of cancer. It’s amusing to me how people who consume the standard American diet (SAD) express concern and worry that
vegetarians
are doing something strange and not getting the necessary nutrients through their diet. It seems they really don’t have a clue or the vaguest idea of good nutrition.
What Vegans EatMost vegans are more nutrition conscious than the general public, understanding the importance of variety and a focus on whole foods—vegetables,
fruits
, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes. To see a vegan version of the food pyramid, click here.
If you're looking for a substitute for
dairy milk
, you can use soy milk, rice milk, or nut milk. Soy cheese can be found in natural food stores and supermarkets, but be aware that many contain casein, which is a dairy product; read the labels. For a delicious substitute for breakfast eggs, try this easy recipe for Sunny Scrambled Tofu. In a
restaurant
, vegans can choose Indian curries and dahl, bean tacos, hummus, many Chinese dishes, pizza without cheese, baked potatoes, and salad bars. For me, and from what I’ve learned about others' experiences, becoming a vegetarian expands one's awareness of available foods for a healthy diet. I tried vegetables, grains and beans that I may never have eaten otherwise. This diet makes sense for so many reasons, and improving your health is an excellent place to start. Return to
Raw Foods
from
Vegan Diet
.
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