10 Reasons to Go Vegan
So you’re considering going vegan?
Top 10 Reasons for going vegan
- Animal Welfare
- Ethical Reasons
- The Environment
- Health Benefits
- Community and Support
- Because someone you know is vegan
- Saving Money
- Avoid Toxins
- Due to an allergy
- Because you want to try it
Animal Welfare
One of the biggest reasons some people want to go vegan is for the animals. Turning to a plant based diet helps lower the demand for meat and animal products as it will be consumed less.
It is possible to calculate how many animals you can save by going vegan which is amazing for any true animal lover. Plus with so many great substitutions these days even if you like the taste of meat there is an alternative out there to basically everything these days.
So, if you are feeling the impact of eating meat and want to focus more on how you can help save animals, going vegan is a great place to start. Businesses follow trends so if more people adopt a plant based lifestyle, more companies will start to invest in alternatives it’s a win win situation.
Ethical Reasons
Many people choose to go vegan as it aligns with their ethical beliefs. If you don’t think animals should be harmed not eating them is a way to live according to what you think is right.
Veganism is also better for the environment and your own health so adopting this lifestyle allows you to live within your ethical beliefs whilst promoting the life you think is best for yourself or others.
The Environment
Going vegan can drastically help the environment.
Plant based foods use less water to produce and produce less natural gasses. On the other hand meat production causes a lot of emissions, and the vast scale that meat is overproduced is the issue. Because there is high demand the process is no longer natural and relies on machines and over breeding, this all increases pollution.
Health Benefits
Often a key motivator in going vegan, or even adding more plant based dishes to your life is the health benefits. Vegan food can help lower cholesterol, help with weight management, increase the amount of fibre in your diet and reduce the risk of heart attacks. Some people find veganism appealing when wanting to change their health and increase their fitness levels. And whilst no diet should be used as a way to loose weight, increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet will have the added benefits of increasing your nutrition.
Of course, there are also many unhealthy vegan foods, which are good in moderation so the health benefits will only come if the majority of your diet is plant based.
Community and Support
Over the years there has been an increase in vegan festivals, holidays and groups. The vegan community is amazing and often people will try veganism after attending a festival or meeting people who live this lifestyle.
Vegan businesses tend to be small and ran by good people just trying to promote their beliefs and lifestyle. Adopting this way of living can lead to meeting new people who share your beliefs and developing a new support system.
Because someone you know is vegan
Sometimes you are inspired by those around you. I had a friend go vegan around the same time I was considering it and it really gave me the last push to try it and I’m so glad I did!
Seeing someone else try out a new lifestyle might be what give you the idea to try it too. And if you are struggling to find someone who is vegan, try checking out social media. I loved what I eat in a day videos when I first went vegan as it gave me some ideas on what to try.
Saving Money
Whilst some people think being vegan is expensive it’s actually really cheap if you follow a plant based diet. Whilst meat and dairy is increasing in cost, vegetables and fruit are still relatively cheap. Moving to a more whole foods diet can save you money. Of course it does require some practise and getting used to cooking from scratch but that’s part of the fun of trying a vegan lifestyle.
Avoid Toxins
Overly processed food is not the best for your health. That is why going vegan can really help you. Sticking to whole foods, avoiding too much processed food and changing your diet to add in a variety of plants can help you avoid all the toxins that are in foods these days. Whilst of course there are still overly processed vegan options, it is easier to avoid when your diet is mostly plant based.
Due to an allergy
One of the reason I tried going vegan was because I developed a dairy allergy. A lot of people have intolerances to things like dairy and processed foods but keep eating them out of habit. Once I realised dairy was making me feel ill I wanted to avoid it.
A lot of people who struggle with dairy, whey and digesting meat may have allergies that could be helped by trying a vegan diet.
Because you want to try it
The main and only reason you really need is because you want to give it a go. There doesn’t need to be a big reason you might just like the way vegan food looks or want to eat healthier or try something new. Whatever your reason make sure you are doing it for you and eating enough in the process. There is no harm in trying something for a month, a week or even a day to see if you like it. You can also add in more plant based diets without making a big change right now.
I am a big believer in how good a vegan diet is but you have to want to try it for yourself and not feel pressured into it. Why not give it a go for a while and see how you feel?