Are vegans healthier than vegetarians?
The question are vegans healthier than vegetarians is one we hear quite often at Vegan Life Nutrition. The answer is a lot more complicated than you’d think, but it is safe to say that any diet that includes no animal products or limited animals products is generally better than the alternative.
When you consume a lot of meat and dairy, you’re far more likely than someone who eats a plant-based diet to be consuming too much saturated fats, sugars, and cholesterol. All of these elements are associated with higher rates of serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
However, removing animal products from your diet is only the first step toward better health. You must still pay attention to what goes into your body, and build good exercise habits into your routine.
Depends on what you eat
When choosing between vegan vs. vegetarian, ask yourself which diet suits your lifestyle better. If you are on the go a lot and rely on prepackaged foods or those you can get at a take-out place, it may be easier to stick to a vegetarian diet. This is because vegetarianism is more loosely defined than veganism.
For example, some vegetarians eat dairy products, including eggs. They’re considered lacto-ovo vegetarians, and it’s easier for them to find menu items and convenience foods that fit into their personal diet plan. Another category of vegetarianism is the lactovegetarian, which is defined as a plant-based diet that includes dairy products but not eggs.
Regardless of which category best suits your needs, you can find healthy and unhealthy food choices in each. Even vegetarians can get too many calories if they go for the foods that are packed with sugars and simple carbohydrates. Reading labels, selecting foods that include complex carbohydrates, sticking to low fat alternatives, and replacing the vitamins and minerals that are normally found in animal products are all important ways to practice good eating habits on a plant-sourced diet.
Getting everything you need
Another question that’s often asked about going vegan — is it more expensive to be a vegan? The answer is no! The vegan diet is full of healthy foods such as beans, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables which are also some of the cheapest foods in comparison to meats and dairy products.
Limiting or eliminating animal products from your diet is a great way to improve your health while giving a boost to the environment and your wallet. Whether you choose to eat vegan or vegetarian, you’re doing something good for your body and the Earth.
VLN offers vegan health supplements, such as calcium and vitamins D3 and B12, that can help round out any form of vegetarianism.
