12
Jul, 2023
Veganism: Pros and Cons

Veganism: Pros and Cons

As January comes around, so does the yearly tradition of Veganuary: the month dedicated to following a vegan lifestyle. Veganism follows the practice of not eating any animal products – that means nothing containing meat, milk, eggs, or honey is eaten. As daunting as it may sound, more and more vegan options are popping up on the British Highstreet and in supermarkets, as suppliers recognise the demand for plant-based meals. If you’re thinking of trying out a vegan diet, even as one meal a week, it’s best to know what you’re getting yourself into first! We’ve https://thevegangarden.com/ written down the pros and cons of a plant-based diet, so you’ve got all the information you need to make the right choice for you.

Pro: Vegans are at reduced risk for illness

According to some studies, eating a vegan diet can put you at reduced risk for some common diseases and illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. However, many people who follow a vegan diet have the flexibility and financial ability to control their diet. The same people with the time and funds to eat healthier may also find it easier to find time to exercise, so it can’t be said 100% that a vegan diet is the sole reason vegans are at lower risk of disease.

Con: Vegan diets can lack essential nutrients

Although fruits and vegetables are high in nutritious vitamins and minerals, it can be hard to get all the nutrients you need. Calcium, B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are difficult to get from plant-based foods, so often must be supplemented alongside. This can be expensive and inconvenient.

Pro: Veganism can aid with weight loss

A restricted diet can result in many new vegans shedding a few pounds as they get used to their new eating habits. Less saturated fats and less high-calorie options like cheeses mean that your diet is healthier overall, helping you to lose weight.

Con: Vegan diets aren’t recommended for people with certain health conditions

Depending on the status of your health, your doctor may discourage you from following a vegan diet. Illnesses that require a lot of calcium to help maintain strength in bones, like osteoporosis, still advise you to consume dairy, as this is the number one source of calcium.

Pro: It’s better for animal welfare

No animals are directly harmed or killed for a vegan diet. This removes the need for massive abattoirs and reduces animal abuse cases on factory or boutique farms. Often, this fact alone is enough for many animal lovers to switch over to a plant-based diet, or even just eat less meat.

Con: It’s more difficult to eat out at restaurants and events

As much as it has improved, many restaurants still only offer a small selection of vegan friendly meals. Independent restaurants, cafes and pubs may not offer any at all, which reduces your choice when it comes to having a nice meal out.

4
Jul, 2023
The Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian

The Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian

The Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian – Switching up your diet to cut out meat can be a challenge, but it can also be a great way to get healthier, save money and do your bit for the environment.

If you’re thinking about cutting out meat, you might also be thinking about cutting out animal products like milk and eggs. Generally, a diet excluding meat is labelled as vegetarian, while a diet excluding all animal products is labelled as vegan.

Read on to find out more in this website https://thevegangarden.com/ about the differences, and to prepare for your new diet.

The Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian

What is a vegetarian?

A vegetarian is someone who doesn’t eat any meat, fish, or meat products like gelatine. Vegetarians still eat animal products like milk, cheese, butter and eggs.

It’s not hard to get all the essential vitamins and minerals you need on a vegetarian diet, but if you’re switching over from eating meat for the first time, it’s important to do some meal prep. You’ll probably need to bulk out your diet with vegetarian sources of protein like pulses.

This page from the NHS gives a detailed guide on what should be included in a vegetarian diet.

Type of Vegetarian

Lacto-vegetarian

A lacto-vegetarian is a vegetarian who doesn’t eat any eggs, but does eat dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, cream and yoghurt.

Ovo-vegetarian

An ovo-vegetarian is a vegetarian who doesn’t eat any dairy products, but does eat eggs.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarian

The most common type of vegetarian is lacto-ovo. This is where you eat eggs and dairy products. Eating this type of diet is a good way to make sure you’re still getting plenty of protein and key minerals like calcium and vitamin D.

What is a pescatarian?

A pescatarian is someone who eats fish and other seafood, as well as dairy and eggs. Pescatarians don’t eat red meat, game or poultry, but they’re not classed as vegetarians because they still eat fish. If you’re looking to make the move to vegetarianism, you can start out by trying a pescatarian diet.

The good thing about a pescatarian diet is that it can incorporate oily fish like salmon and mackerel, which are rich in essential nutrients. The NHS recommends eating two portions of fish each week, one of which is oily.

What is a vegan?

A vegan is a someone who doesn’t eat any animal products, including:

  • Red meat
  • Poultry
  • Game
  • Fish and seafood
  • Eggs
  • Milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt
  • Meat products like gelatine

According to The Vegan Society, a vegan diet should also exclude honey, materials derived from animal (e.g. leather), and products that are tested on animals.

Benefits of a vegan diet

Switching to a vegan diet can have lots of benefits. If you’re worried about animal cruelty or the environmental issues associated with farming, veganism is a great way to reduce your meat consumption.

On a health front, veganism is a good way to be more mindful about what you eat, simply because it requires more preparation. A vegan diet also tends to be lower in saturated fats (often found in animal products) and include more fruit & veg.

If you eat a lot of meat and you’re trying to lose weight, changing to veganism might be a good option. Read this article to learn more about veganism and weight loss.

Do vegans need supplements?

Cutting out animal products can make it harder to get protein and essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron and calcium. If you’re keen to make the switch, try to plan a diet that’s balanced and varied, and includes key, nutrient-rich foods. Find out how you can get enough protein on a vegan diet with our vegan protein sources article.

Vegans who struggle to get all the nutrients they need might need to take supplements. Find out more by reading this article.

Typical vegan diet

A vegan diet should be balanced and varied, and include:

  • Five portions of fruit and vegetables each day
  • Starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, wholegrain bread, and brown rice and pasta
  • Dairy alternatives like soya and nut milks
  • Beans, pulses and other protein sources

You can get detailed help with planning your vegan diet by checking out the Vegan Eatwell Guide from the The Vegan Society.

Why not try Veganuary?

January can be a great time to make a change to your diet. If you’re looking to shake things up, why not spend January eating vegan food as part of Veganuary? The idea is to cut all animal products from your diet until the end of the month.

Remember, even a partial change is a good start. If you’re not ready to make the change all in one go, try eating two or three vegetarian or vegan meals a week. You can work up from there!