VEGANISM

 

 

 Veganism has become very popular lately. More and more people are following vegan diets because they believe that when it is done right, such a diet can help one lead a very healthy life. People have their own ethical, environmental or health reasons to follow this diet. Vegan diet is also believed to control the blood sugar. However, a diet based on vegetables may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies. “Veganism is defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether for food, clothing or any other purpose”, said Alina Petre, a registered dietitian with an expertise in sport nutrition. When people decide to be vegan, they avoid all the animal products, including meat, eggs and dairy. There are many different types of vegan diets though. The most common ones are raw-food vegan diet, whole-food vegan diet,
junk-food vegan diet and 80/10/10 diet. Raw-food vegan diet is based on raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds or plants cooked at a temperature below 48°C. Whole-food vegan diet is based on whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Junk-food vegan diet includes mock meats and cheeses, fries, vegan desserts and other heavily processed vegan foods and 80/10/10 diet lastly includes raw fruits and soft greens instead of fat-rich plants such as nuts and avocados. Although there are many other different types of vegan diets, scientists rarely differentiates them. Many doctors and dietitians started recommending vegan diets to their patients if they are plus sizes, because vegan people tend to be thinner and have a lower body mass index (BMI). This can explain why a lot of people turned to vegan diets as a way of losing extra weights. In addition, vegan diets are known to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics up to 2.4 times more than regular diets. It may keep your heart healthy. Substitution of meat for plant protein may also reduce their risk of poor kidney function. However, if you don’t want to lack any nutrients, remember to vary your sources of protein and vegetables throughout the day, as each provides different vitamins and minerals that are important for your health.