Being vegan is nothing new, but it is becoming easier to go dairy-free and meatless thanks to an increasing number of plant-based alternatives and vegan options at restaurants. While some see veganism as a trendy diet to drop weight or get health back on track, others restrict animal products from their diet as a lifestyle choice to take a stand against cruelty and to reduce their carbon footprint. No matter the reason, being vegan has several benefits and Best Life spoke with people who went vegan for 30 days but stuck with the diet long-term. Here’s why they didn’t revert back to eating meat.
Values
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When Gregor Schneider, founder of Personality Path, initially went vegan, he did so to align his lifestyle with his beliefs. “It made sense to be able to do something positive for the world while enhancing my health,” he says. Being vegan made Schneider feel “healthier and more vibrant” but also changed his perspective on food and the environment. “I enjoyed the sense of doing things that were consistent with my values,” he explains. “Witnessing the difference being made in the surroundings was also a great source of encouragement.”
Overall Well-Being
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The health benefits of being vegan can differ, but Murtaza Oklu, Owner of OMO Transfer experienced so many advantages, that he stayed with the diet. “I initially tried out veganism for environmental reasons, but I eventually stuck with it for health purposes,” he says. “In just a month, I noticed that my digestion improved, and my skin got clearer compared to when I was consuming meat and dairy. My energy levels were also more consistent.”
Animal Rights
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Motivated by the strong desire to promote animal welfare and reduce cruelty, Asha Patel, Founder of Leely Chai Co went vegan. “Veganism is about not contributing to the exploitation of animals and that is why I am vegan,” she says. Patel explains, “More than 90 billion land animals are bred into existence globally each year, and slaughtered. The majority of them, 99% in the USA, suffer on factory farms. Factory farming is intensive animal agriculture where profit is maximized at the expense of the animal, these animals are sentient beings just like our dogs.”
She adds, “Once I learned of what they go through, I realized I did not want to contribute to their exploitation, suffering and abuse, not just for food but animals are used in fashion, transportation, entertainment and medical experiments (92% of animal experiments do not translate to humans), where they are ultimately slaughtered when they can no longer produce profits.”
Physical Improvements
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20 years ago, Wade Lightheart, President of BiOptimizers and 3-time Canadian Natural Bodybuilding Champion, read the book Holy Science, but didn’t try going vegan until two decades later. “The argument that humans were made to eat plants just made sense,” he says. “The book also stated that meat-containing foods could interfere with meditation. So, after qualifying for Mr. Universe, I decided to try the vegan diet.”
Lightheart stuck with being vegan because there was so many “physical improvements.” He says, “First, I didn’t get the fullness or bloating sensation that usually came with meat. Second, I noticed that I was a very aggressive person and my aggression went down a certain amount. Third, my sleep went down 12.5% on a nightly basis.”
Want to Try Being Vegan?
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Cutting out meat, dairy and other animal products sounds extreme, but it’s a healthy lifestyle people love and get a slew of benefits from. If you’re considering going vegan, here’s a few tips.
-Go slow. Start with one meal a day and slowly cut out the others, Schneider advises.
-Plan ahead when eating out. Look up the menu ahead of time to see whether or not they have vegan options. If they don’t, either eat at home before leaving or prepare your own vegan food to bring,” Oklu, says.
-Get your nutrients. Pay attention to nutrient forms and synergy, along with how they’re absorbed,” Lightheart explains. Nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, calcium, and omega-3 tend to be lacking in a plant-based diet.