The term “vegan” has been around for a while, but now more than ever people are adopting this type of lifestyle. It makes sense. A vegan diet offers a lot of positive benefits for your health and the environment!

But just because many people are going all-in on veganism doesn’t mean you have to. What’s most important is that you find a diet you can stick to that helps you feel your best and makes you happy. And that just might include adding or substituting elements of a vegan diet. Here are a few things to consider about incorporating vegan options into your life.
 

What Exactly Does It Mean to Be Vegan?
There are many different definitions out there, but basically, it means not consuming any animals or animal byproducts. So not only do you avoid meat, but also items like milk, eggs and honey – products created by animals.

What Are the Benefits of Adding Vegan Food to Your Diet?

  1. Improves Your Mood
    Studies have found that people who eat more plant-based foods have fewer symptoms of depression and a more positive mood overall. It’s also a pretty good feeling to know you’re helping your animal friends and the environment.
     
  2. Helps You Lose Weight
    Many people are choosing a vegan diet because it helps eliminate excess weight. The great thing about this diet is you end up losing weight without focusing just on cutting calories.
     
  3. You Pump Up Those Nutrients
    If you’re looking to boost your nutrient intake, look no further than a vegan diet. You’re going to get more vitamins, antioxidants, potassium, fiber and so much more especially from all of the leafy greens and nuts you’ll have in your diet.
     
  4. Better Skin
    People who add elements of veganism to their diet tend to have a certain glow, and the increase in veggies and fruits means more nutrients for your skin.
     
  5. Reduces the Risk of Diseases
    Studies have shown that trying some vegan meals means reducing your risk of dealing with all kinds of health issues including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Studies have linked red meat to increased cancer risk and higher cholesterol, while people who consume more fruits and veggies have been shown to decrease the risk of diabetes and increase kidney function.
     

What Are My Vegan Food Options?
Going vegan means going veggie – in a big way. If you want to try adding a bit of this to your lifestyle, try to follow the vegan philosophy for a few meals of your week.

  1. Make Veggies a Central Part of Your Meal
    It seems pretty obvious, but veggies should be the star of your meal – especially the greens! Veggies have tons of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that are an essential part of a vegan diet. Start with vegetables and build your meals around it.
     
  2. Superfood Bowls
    If you follow any foodies on social media, chances are you’ve probably seen a few of these featured. You can make one for each meal of the day! Fruity smoothie bowls for breakfast, veggies and nuts for lunch and legumes and greens for dinner.
     
  3. Nuts and seeds
    They may be small, but they pack a mighty punch. These are a great source of omega 3 and are a great addition to any meal or act as a tasty snack.
     
  4. Try Only Eating Unprocessed Foods
    It can be tempting to eat some processed snacks when you’re on the go, but try to stick to whole unprocessed foods when you can. This means having lots of fresh fruits, veggies and grains around to create a really great vegan meal.
     

No matter what the reason is for choosing to add some vegan food to your diet, you’ll definitely notice changes to your health. So why not give it a try?