Is being vegan harder than being vegetarian? Let’s discuss
Most people agree that going vegetarian feels less “life-changing” than going vegan. When you make the jump to vegetarianism, there are still many options to choose from in restaurants and grocery stores, and you often don’t have to contend with the misinformation and differing opinions of friends and family. On the plus side, veganism is becoming more generally accepted as people learn about the downsides of animal agriculture.
When asked about their struggles with cutting out meat products, vegetarians who have converted to veganism generally respond that the benefits far outweigh the initial inconvenience. It’s no secret that animals being raised for food often suffer needlessly, and the process results in a large amount of air, land and water pollution. Having fewer people eating meat products is better for the environment.
And research has connected eating a plant-based diet with decreased rates of serious disease. “It is highly probable that many vegan diets are less likely to cause cancer than other diets are.1” So on top of reducing the rates of animal cruelty and doing the Earth a favor, eating a plant-based diet is better for your health.
The toughest parts
Many vegetarians rely on eggs and dairy products for a significant portion of their daily calories and protein, which is why learning new ways to cook without them is important to making the transition. Fortunately, many excellent plant-based substitutes for dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream have become available in the past decade or so.
Going from vegetarian to vegan does tend to mean you’re more limited in terms of convenience foods and eating out, but you’ll find it’s easier than expected. Now that this lifestyle has become more mainstream and there’s a growing awareness about the need to address climate change, people are leaning more toward finding plant-based options that are both healthier for themselves as well as the environment. Food manufacturers and restaurants are responding to the increased demand by producing more vegan products.
Still have questions about going vegan?
Still unsure if you want to make the transition? Let’s see if we can help…
Should you go vegan given all you know about the benefits of eating a plant-based diet? At Vegan Life Nutrition, we believe that as awareness grows, so too will the number of people going vegan, but whether it’s right for you is an entirely personal decision.
Do vegans poop more? If they’re eating a healthy vegan diet (not packed with processed foods) this statement is likely true. “To date, many studies have agreed that higher dietary fibers (fruits and vegetables) consumption decreases prevalence of constipation in different age and gender groups.2“
What supplements should you take? Please feel free to look over the wealth of information on the VLN website to help you understand the potential nutritional deficiencies associated with veganism and how best to meet those needs through supplementation.
References
1 Might a Vegan Diet Be Healthy or Even Healthier, Deckers, J. | Ubiquity Press Ltd. | NCBI.
2 Epidemiological study: Correlation between diet habits and constipation among elderly in Bejing region, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. | NCBI .
NOTE: The Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, Ubiquity Press Ltd, Creative Commons, and National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, have not reviewed or approved the above article.
