Vegan Diet Pros and Cons You Should Know

By Susan Dickson

Vegan Diet Pros and Cons You Should Know thegearhunt.com

Vegan…just the word calls up pros, cons, and a lot of controversies. The debate over whether going vegan is a good thing or a bad thing will probably rage on for years, and the fights will continue between vegan, and well, the rest of the meat-eating world for a long time to come. It is official, however, veganism has gone mainstream. From athletes to celebrities and from politicians to your average Joe on the streets, veganism is here to stay and there’s no denying it or the power it has. There are many different reasons that people go vegan or even just go on a vegan diet to lose the weight they need to lose, although it is said that very few people who switch to this type of diet go back to eating the way they did before.

While veganism is said to be great by many people, is it really a good idea and does it really work to help reach those weight loss goals you’re striving for? Some people say yes, some people say no. What we do know is that there are pros and cons to going vegan and going on on the vegan diet, and there are dangers that need to be discussed as well.

That’s why in this article, we’re going to go into the reasons to go vegan, the pros and cons, and then discuss the dangers as well, so that you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s the right choice and the right diet for you. As always, the best way to determine if it is, beyond doing research, is to make an appointment with your primary doctor for a checkup and a recommendation on whether you should try this diet or not.

So, without further ado, let’s delve into our blog on the advantages and disadvantages of a vegan diet, among other things.

What is a Vegan Diet?

In order to determine if this is the right choice for your health and weight loss goals, it’s important that you first know what a vegan diet is. By definition, it’s a diet that centers on eating more plant-based and wholesome foods. With this diet, you cut out all animal products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood. Whether it’s for ethical, moral, environmental, weight loss, or health-related reasons, it’s become extremely popular and shows no signs of being a diet fad that fades into the night.

It is said that you should give it time when going vegan. It’s not something that you can do overnight, as giving up animal-based products isn’t that easy for many. Replace your animal-based foods with plant-based foods one at a time for the best results.

Knowing what a vegan diet consists of is the best way to get you started. Read along as we delve into this further to see if it is indeed a choice, a life, and a diet you want to commit to.

The Pros and Cons of Going Vegan with a Vegan Diet

This is an awful strict diet and not for everyone for sure. Read on below for the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Pro: Has the Potential for Improved Health

Since vegan diets are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, there is a chance for improved health when you go vegan. This diet is especially good if you run the risk of developing diseases such as cancer or heart disease. It’s still important to talk to your doctor beforehand though, don’t forget that.

Con: All Things Might not be Vegan

This disadvantage is just another reason that it’s important to read the labels on the foods you buy. Though some of them claim to be vegan, they indeed have some form of animal products in them, which means you might not be on a vegan diet, though you think you are. Combat this, by reading the labels on everything you purchase.

Pro: Your Antioxidants will Increase

Vegan diets are full of antioxidants because of the foods you do eat. Foods, such as veggies, fruits, beans and more are full of these antioxidants that you need to be healthy and fit, making going vegan a good thing for sure.

Con: Being Able to Stick to a Strict Diet

There is no doubt that going on a vegan diet is going on about as strict of a diet as you can get. Vegan is much more than just avoiding animal products, some of the other requirements of the diet are listed below.

Honey
Dairy
Eggs

And even cosmetics that are made from animal products

It’s important to note that going vegan isn’t just about losing weight, it’s about living a whole different lifestyle. Choosing to go on a vegan diet means that you won’t have an easy time of it choosing from the menu when you go out to eat. The diet isn’t for everyone, just because of how limiting and strict it is.

Pro: Can be a Positive Lifestyle Choice

Going vegan can be a positive lifestyle choice, and many people see it as such. Many people who are vegans adopted the lifestyle because they are animal lovers and environmentally conscious. If you feel the same, then it may very well have a positive effect on your life, on top of helping you lose weight as well.

Con: A Lack of Protein

While protein isn’t everything in your diet, it is something that your body needs and being a vegan can stop you from getting enough of it. This means that you will need to find other sources of protein to make up for the ones you’re losing.

These are just a few of the pros and cons of starting a vegan diet that you might want to consider before making a final decision. Remember, the choice is yours and being on a vegan diet can be limiting and strict. It’s best to talk to your doctor before making that decision as well.

Now, that we have talked about the pros and cons of going on a vegan diet and starting a vegan lifestyle, we need to talk about the dangers associated with it as well.

The Dangers of Vegan Diets You Should Know

It is said by some, not all, that of all the diet crazes in the last few years, that the vegan craze has got to be the worst and the most dangerous. That remains to be seen, but we are going to go into those dangers anyway, to be on the side of caution. While this isn’t saying that you shouldn’t become a vegan if you want to, it’s important to realize what the very real dangers of this way of life are.

The Risk of Micronutrient Deficiency

The plain and simple truth of the matter is that humans are meant to eat meat and plants. It’s not a good idea to skip eating either one. There are many vitamins and minerals that you just can’t get from only eating plant-based products. A micronutrient deficiency can be dangerous to your health. The biggest thing to remember is that there are no scientific studies out there to show that a vegan diet is any healthier for you than any other diet out there, so that’s something to think about as well.

It Takes a While to see the Negative Consequences

It is said to take a while to see the negative consequences on your body of becoming a vegan, by then it could be too late to reverse the effects. If you aren’t sure what the negative consequences to your body might be, make an appointment with your primary care provider, who will be willing to explain it to you in great details.

These are just a couple of the dangers that are said to come with being a vegan and starting a vegan diet. The choice of whether to become a vegan has to be a personal one, just weigh the pros and cons when coming to a decision, please.

Now, that we know almost everything we need to know about the vegan lifestyle and the diet, let’s move into a few of the reasons that it might just be the right choice for you. After all, if it’s so popular, something has got to be good about it, right? We’ll see, in our next section.

Top Reasons to Become a Vegan and go on the Vegan Diet

Switching to a vegan diet is something that many people are considering today. Read on below for their reasons to be revealed.

To Lose Weight and More Energetic

It is said that vegans on average are more than twenty pounds lighter than people who eat animal-based products and animal byproducts. That in of itself is enough to cause many people to become vegans. Losing the weight you need to lose is also a great way to become more energetic, which is something a strict vegan diet can do for you.

You’re an Animal Lover/To Help the Animals

If you’re an animal lover that wants to help them, then becoming a vegan is the perfect way to accomplish that goal. It is said that vegans save over 100 animals a year. So, not only are you losing weight and feeling more energized and great, but you’re also helping the animals that you love as well.

For a Healthier, Happier You

It is said that vegans are less likely to get cancer, suffer from heart disease, and even develop diabetes. That means that going on a diet could lead to a happier, healthier you and that is never a bad thing. If you have a genetic disposition to develop any of these diseases, it’s better to go on a vegan diet as soon as possible, studies have shown.

It’s Environmentally Friendly

Let’s face it, we all know that the earth is not in good shape. Global warming, pollution and everything else under the sun is destroying it right in front of our faces. Becoming a vegan is an environmentally friendly thing to do. It is said that adopting a vegan diet is actually more beneficial to the planet than going green in other ways is. So, if you are looking for a way to go green and reduce your carbon footprint on the planet, then starting a vegan diet and a vegan lifestyle is certainly a win-win situation for you.

Now that we know the reasons to turn vegan, how about getting into some of the foods you should eat and the foods you should avoid as a beginning vegan.

Vegan Foods to Eat on a Vegan Diet

Nuts
Fruits
Veggies

Tofu
Nut butter
Plant-based milk

Rice
Bread
Other types of grains

Seeds
Plant-based oils
Lentils

Chickpeas
Beans of some kinds

Non-Vegan Foods to Avoid on a Vegan Diet

Every kind of meat and poultry out there
Milk
Yogurt

Seafood
Butter
Fish

Cheese
Cream
Honey

Eggs
Any type of sweets that might be made with dairy products or eggs
Foods that include fish oil

Foods that include lard

There are quite a few other foods and food products that are not vegan worthy as well, but these are the main ones. If you are considering going vegan, then you will want to make sure that you get a list of the avoided foods and then make sure to read labels before you purchase anything at the grocery store. It is still important to talk to your doctor before starting a vegan diet, just as it’s important to talk to him no matter what type of diet you are starting on.

This ends our blog on the pros and cons of a vegan diet. Happy dieting everyone!