Pros and Cons of Veganism:
Benefits of Being Vegan vs.
Dangers of a Vegan Diet

Because vegans avoid meat, dairy, and eggs, it is incredibly hard for them to indulge in most of the fattening junk foods that can cause people to gain weight. In addition, most vegan-friendly foods are extremely low in calories. For those who follow a strict vegan diet, studies have shown that they lost weight easier and faster than those who eat conventional foods containing meat and animal byproducts. However, vegans should be careful to limit vegan-friendly foods that are heavy in carbs, fat, and vegan-friendly sugars, as these can hamper their weight loss progress.

Research shows that meat farming is incredibly harmful to the environment. By committing to a vegan diet, you will have the benefit of knowing that you are not contributing to the harmful environmental consequences of the industrial animal farming industry.

Vegans also often volunteer with animal welfare organizations as a personal endeavor. Over time, veganism has evolved into a lifestyle as much as it is a diet. Many vegans have moral and health reasons for abstaining from meat, which helps them stick to their plant-based diet.

Many animal products, when consumed in excess, can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. For many people, this is one of the biggest benefits of becoming a vegan. For those with a history of heart disease in their family, veganism is one of the healthiest things they can do to lower their risk of developing heart disease.

Vegan diets are high in many of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that come from plants, which often aid in digestion and the nourishment of your skin. A vegetable-based diet can be one of the best ways to improve your digestion because it often has a high level of fiber. Additionally, many foods containing animal products have large amounts of fat and grease, which are not good for either your skin or your body's digestive system.

Meat and animal products are often one of the most expensive items on a family's grocery bill. By abstaining from all forms of animal products, vegans can lower the cost of their grocery bill while still filling their refrigerators and pantries. If you stick to a vegan diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy carbs, you will find that your groceries and your money go much farther than when consuming an animal-based diet.

Many animal products contain hormones, vitamins, and nutrients that we need to have a stable mood. With the wrong diet, it can be extremely hard to maintain a positive mood. This is often one of the main reasons that people switch back to a vegetarian or animal-based diet after trying veganism. These mood imbalances can be corrected through a combination of diet adjustments, supplements, and therapy. After all, abstaining from meat is a huge lifestyle change for many people, and it can take some time and fine-tuning to adjust to a change so dramatic.

While there are many nutrients available from plants, there are vitamins and minerals that vegans often lack due to their abstaining from animal products, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 to name a few. This is why many doctors and medical professionals caution those with weak immune systems who switch to a vegan diet and recommend that vegans take daily vitamin and mineral supplements. While vitamins and supplements may be able to help some people, only your doctor will be able to help you determine if you can safely maintain a vegan diet.

Anemia is a condition where you lack enough red blood cells to keep your body fully supplied with oxygen. It is common for vegetarians and vegans to have a higher risk of suffering from anemia. Meat is one of the best sources of iron in a regular healthy diet, therefore vegans must be vigilant and take iron supplements if recommended by their doctor to combat the risk of anemia.

In a diet without meat or animal products, it is incredibly easy to supplement your diet with too many carbs because they're easy and familiar to work with. Bread, pasta, and other high-carb foods often find a place of high priority in many vegan diets. For those who lead busy lives or are less confident in their cooking skills, this can be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome while being on a vegan diet.

Overall, a vegan diet is a huge lifestyle change as well as a big change in diet. For many people, it is one of the most positive and lasting changes they will make in their lives. Others find that veganism does not agree with their body or morals for one reason or another, and they either switch to a vegetarian diet or back to an animal-based diet. If you are eager to try a vegan diet because of the many benefits, talk to your doctor or medical professional about how you can plan and prepare for the challenges of a vegan diet. With the right guidance, a vegan diet can be one of the best changes you can make for your health, your lifestyle, and the world around you.