The Vegan Diet: Key Points and Benefits

A vegan is someone who enjoys a diet of the vast and incredible bounty of nature, one that consists only of food derived from plants. Many people confuse vegetarianism and veganism, thinking that the two are synonymous with one another. While both types of dietary lifestyles shun animal flesh as nourishment, a vegan diet goes on to exclude all animal food sources, including eggs, dairy and sometimes honey. Each person who comes to veganism does so as part of a personal journey. The reasons behind the choice to live a vegan lifestyle are many and include better health, more energy, the elimination of chemicals and antibiotics from food sources, animal welfare and cruelty beliefs, and religious doctrine, just to name a few. It is estimated that today there are more than two million Americans who embrace and enjoy a vegan lifestyle, in addition to more cultures worldwide that depend daily on a vegan diet for nourishment. If you have personal experience as a vegan then you know that there are skeptics out there who will question your dietary choices, often out of concern for your own health and wellbeing. The truth is that most negative responses to veganism are based on an insufficient amount of information. And, just like any dietary lifestyle, being a healthy vegan is about balance and moderation. Here are just a few of the many benefits of veganism. Veganism eliminates many of the foods that are responsible for modern chronic health issues. For example, the average person in the western world eats at least twice the amount of recommended animal protein. While you are likely familiar with the common health consequences that come from an abundance of protein, especially from fatty red meat sources, you might not know that excessive protein intake can lead to other health issues, such as osteoporosis. A vegan diet provides healthier sources of protein in the form of legumes and grains. Not

only do these sources provide the necessary amount of protein without going overboard, they also each come with their own set of health benefits.  Veganism calms your gut. It is estimated that as much as 75 percent of the population could have some degree of sensitivity or allergy to dairy products. Sometimes the symptoms of lactose sensitivity are so mild, such as headaches, bloating, indigestion and fatigue, that we either shrug them off or they go unnoticed altogether. The problem is that over time the disruption in your digestive system can lead to larger, more serious health problems.  Veganism helps you maintain a healthy weight. The typical western diet has led to what some in the world of health coin as an “obesity epidemic.” Yes, it is true that more and more of us seem to struggle with our weight, and a diet high in fat, sugar and processed foods contributes to our literally growing problem. Veganism is not in itself a magical solution to this problem. Vegans, just like carnivores, can eat an improper balance of the wrong foods and stray from the path of healthy eating. However, a vegan diet eliminates many of the culprits, and as you begin to love the flavor of natural, wholesome foods, it becomes easier to incorporate more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff into your daily diet. A balanced vegan diet provides all the essential nutrients without being high in calories, fat or any of the other bad stuff.  Vegans have less exposure to foodborne illnesses such as E. coli, salmonella and mad cow disease. While it is certainly possible for vegan foods to be contaminated with foodborne illnesses, compared to foods from the meat industry the risk is relatively small.  A vegan diet reduces or eliminates the risk of many chronic illnesses and conditions including:

Heart disease Diabetes High blood pressure Elevated cholesterol Premenstrual Syndrome Migraines Allergies Arthritis Osteoporosis Macular degeneration Cancer, including prostate, breast and colon cancers As was mentioned earlier, these are but a few of the many benefits of living the vegan lifestyle. If you are a seasoned vegan then you are well aware of all of this. If you lean more towards the novice end of the scale, then your upcoming journey with veganism will open your eyes to just how significant the impact of our diet is on our health. If there is anything that can make this journey even better, it is the fact that the Instant Pot is a vegan’s dream come true. As a vegan, you know that it isn’t always that easy to grab a quick meal, at least if you want a little diversity and excitement in your diet. To fully enjoy the vegan lifestyle, you need some variety and you need to get excited about exploring all the culinary possibilities that veganism must offer. The Instant Pot can make all this easier for you. The possibilities with this cooker are almost unlimited.