10 Reasons You'll Actually Want to Go Vegan

In times when the average American eats more than 90kgs of meat per year, why do people choose to eat more vegan meals? It might have something to do with one (or several) of these 10 reasons to go meat and dairy free.

1. Weightloss

Typically vegan diets have higher amounts of fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Having a diet with more fresh vegetables and high-fiber foods may help you lose or maintain weight loss.

2. Decreased risk of diseases

Studies have shown a positive link between vegan and vegetarian diets and a reduced incidence of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer. Vegetarians and vegan’s LDL cholesterol and total LDL cholesterol are usually lower, although HDL and triglyceride levels may or may not be affected.

3. Less constipation

Often people with diets higher in plants and non-animal sources of protein find that their bowel movements are more regular.

4. Feeling fuller

Vegan diets that are high in fiber, such as fiber found in legumes, beans, and vegetables can help you feel fuller longer. Coupled with healthy fats like vegetable oils, you can improve you feelings of satiety!

5. Improved health

Plant-based diets have health promoting benefits from nutirents and phytonutrients found in fruits, vegetables and legumes. Saturated fats, cholesterol, animal proteins are often replaced with more folate, carbohydrates, carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, fiber and other vitamins and minerals essential for good health.

6. Vegan diets can be cheaper

Buying legumes, lentils, beans, and whole grains in bulk can end up costing you far less than you would pay for the equivalent amount of protein from animal sources.

7. Lots of great choices

Vegan choices of food have greatly improved over the last few years. There are many different types of vegan alternatives to all your favorite animal foods — give a few a try and find your favorites! You may find that many of the vegan options out there taste better than you would expect — often better than their animal alternatives. Most restaurants have vegan choices on their menus, so you don’t need to feel limited in your ability to go out.

8. It's better for the planet

It takes a lot of energy and water to grow the grain and feed for animals, and then there is the cost of raising animals themselves. Switching to a vegan diet, or eating more vegan meals will help the environment by consuming foods that require less water and inputs to grow.

9. You can meet all your health needs

Although it takes a little bit of balancing for nutrients like B12, it is possible to meet all your dietary needs with a vegan diet. In many parts of the world, cultures have been successfully practicing vegan diets.

10. Try something new

Even if you don’t fully go vegan, there are many wonderful healthy vegan meals you can try to get more nutritious and fiberous food into your diet- see how you feel, maybe you will want to start adding more plant-based meals into your week.