I know, I know. The V word scares a lot of people, and I get it. Just over a year ago if you said said the word vegan to me I think I would have just pictured some super hippie eating kale. Yes, I did think it was extreme, and something I "could never do", and that was the extent of my relationship with veganism. I knew maybe two vegans in real life, and I wasn't close enough to either of them to gain any insight into their lifestyle. So, I purposely remained ignorant until an Instagram post inspired me to watch Cowspiracy. That's when everything changed. I went vegetarian over night and slowly transitioned to a HCLF (high carb low fat) vegan diet. The more I read about animal agriculture, the more I realized I didn't want to contribute to it in any way.
I know it can seem pretty crazy. You probably feel like you could never live without cheese. Maybe you wonder what vegans are even allowed to eat. The good news is that veganism is becoming more and more popular. Every single day I see people commenting on various social media sites about how they have decided to go vegan. Restaurants are offering plant based alternatives, and many places are even fully vegan! I really do think it is the diet of the future, for a few reasons. Firstly, I don't really think we'll have any other choice. The way most Americans eat now simply isn't sustainable. We do not have enough land to feed over 7 billion people the Standard American Diet for much longer. It's absolutely demolishing our planet. Secondly, you really are seeing veganism pop up everywhere, and the more people are exposed to it, the more likely they are to look into it. Thirdly, I believe everyone already has veganism in their hearts. We're all animal lovers. We're all opposed to animal cruelty, we just need to start living in line with our values, and I think eventually we will all get there.
I'm getting carried away. Truthfully I could talk about this lifestyle forever, but the point of this post is to list out a few benefits for you. You remember how I love my lists right? So, here we go, some random benefits of being vegan.
1. Peace of mind
Damn, I have never felt more peaceful than I do eating a vegan diet. Yes, it's difficult being so aware and awake regarding animal agriculture and how terrible it is, but nothing feels better than knowing I'm rejecting that lifestyle. There is no suffering on my plate, and no death in my body.
2. Lean body
For all you aesthetic people out there, yes, veganism keeps you lean. I've never had an easier time staying lean, even without exercise. My stomach is always flat because I'm eating easily digestible foods that are low in fat and high in nutrients.
3. Eating abundantly
All I do is eat. I eat all of the time, and I love it. What's better is that I eat as much as I want. I eat when I'm hungry and I eat until I'm full. End of story.
4. Never restrict calories
This goes with #3, but when you think about how many young people are starving themselves or endlessly counting calories, this is huge. I never worry about calories or portion sizes. Hunger is biological. Food is our fuel and we need it to survive. I eat for energy. I never restrict in any way. My relationship with food has never been better.
5. Easier periods
It's true. Since going vegan I've had shorter and lighter periods and it's like a dream. I think it's thanks to ridding my body of the hormones that comes in meat and dairy. Gotta love it.
6. Vegan food is delicious
I have tried so many new foods thanks to veganism, and they've all been fantastic. Vegan pizza, vegan cheese, vegan beef, vegan cheesecake, vegan burgers, vegan ice cream, etc. etc., I love it all. You absolutely do not give anything up by going vegan. You actually gain so much more.
7. Fantastic community
You might think that all vegans are angry, and a lot of them are. I get angry as shit when I think about the videos I've seen of cows being forced to walk into a slaughterhouse when they're trying to get away. I get angry a lot, but the truth is that vegans are some of the most compassionate people you'll ever meet. Their entire lifestyle is about actively rejecting the exploitation of innocent beings. What is that, if not compassionate and loving? There is an amazing community of vegans on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc., and it has been a real pleasure to "meet" and chat with them.
8. Environmentalism
If you like the ocean, or the mountains, or the desert, or sunsets, or trees, or you know...living, then you probably care about the fate of our planet. The only true way to be a true environmentalist is to stop consuming animal products. Watch Cowspiracy if you don't know what I mean. Animal agriculture is destroying our home, and veganism is the quickest and easiest way to stop it.
9. Saving lives
This may be a given, but saving lives feel so damn good. Each vegan saves one animals life every single day. That's nearly 365 innocent animal lives I've saved on this lifestyle. Yes, the dairy and egg industry are killing industries too, and don't be fooled by any ads you see displaying happy cows and free range chickens in fields. None of these animals live happy lives. None of them want to die. There is no humane way to kill someone who doesn't want to die. Veganism means that all lives matter.
10. Healthy AF
These are in a weird order because this is one of the first things we should talk about regarding veganism. It is the healthiest diet on the planet. If you're eating a HCLF plant-based vegan diet, you're protecting yourself from heaps of diseases. People who consume animal products are more susceptible to stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, etc. I love knowing that I'm doing the best thing for my body. I don't fear heart disease (even though it runs rampant in my family) because I know I'm eating the best foods out there. I've never felt healthier.
I could go on and on, and I keep discovering new benefits each day. The most important thing I can say is try it out for yourself. Go vegan for one week and tell me you don't feel better in mind, body, and spirit. I dare you. ;)
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