Since you are here to get answers and learn more about the Vegan Lifestyle, and other diet trends. Let’s start with a short definition.
Definition of vegan : a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals, also one who abstains from using animal products (such as leather). – [Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegan] – Plant-based, meatless diet is another meaning for the word Vegan.
Many of us noticed the rise of interest in vegan lifestyle in the media in recent years, and the number of restaurants and brands starting to offer Vegan menu or products. It’s a common topic that celebrities also like to discuss when they make the choice the adopt this new diet.
Why Choosing a Vegan Lifestyle – The Pros according to the Vegan Community
- I want to be more healthy
- I’m against animal cruelty
- Less meat producing operations could help protect the environment
- These animal products are not tasty
- I believe that animal products were not meant to be part of our diet
Why You Should Say No to a Vegan Lifestyle – The Cons
- Sudden and rapid weight loss can make you hungry and more tempted to eat not-so-heatlhy food like sweet, fatty snacks (French fries, fried vegetables, donuts, etc)
- Eating only Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts brings a risk of deficiency in vitamins that are found in animal products: calcium, vitamin B-12, omega-3. It can be hard to get the same amount with a vegan lifestyle
Clean Eating is Another Growing Trend in Nutrition.
“Clean Eating” refers to people eating whole foods, that are not processed, and as natural as possible. This goes along with the term ‘organic’ used for all types of food on the market that is following the same requirements: no radiation, pesticides, sludge and genetic modification.
How can consumers know what they are buying?
Pay attention to the label on products that should say USDA Organic, 100% Organic or just Organic. For vegan products like cosmetics, check new brands’ websites in the FAQ section. Finally, cruelty free brands will use a bunny logo to certify that their products were not tested on animals.
Why does it cost more to eat clean, organic or live a vegan lifestyle?
Fruits and vegetables with no chemicals usually have a shorter life on the shelf, and the type of farms producing them tend to be smaller operations than large corporations in this industry. They also go through inspections, and testing which can add in production costs.
In conclusion, these newer nutritional choices are definitely in alignment with the common idea that we should ALL try to eat healthy, and will continue to expand in the American population.
Are you a candidate for the vegan lifestyle? What do you consider clean eating?