Healthy tips to help you go vegan

VUYILE MADWANTSI vuyile.madwantsi@inl.co.za

Being a healthier version of yourself does not have to take years. But switching to a vegan diet can be difficult and frequently seems restricted

BEING a healthier version of yourself does not have to take years. But switching to a vegan diet can be difficult and frequently seems restricted.

A healthy lifestyle can prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. As a result, you’ll feel better about yourself, and maintaining your health is important for self-esteem and self-image. This is not to say that those who follow a different lifestyle are unhealthy or otherwise.

Therefore, it’s crucial for everyone who wants to start this vegan or vegetarian journey to learn the fundamentals of nutrition. You need to supplement the vitamins and nutrients you’d typically obtain from eating a meal with meat or a meal that has dairy, which includes iron, vitamin B, and zinc.

Not getting enough of all the vital vitamins and nutrients could result in mood swings, anxiety, or hair loss.

Deciding to cut meat from your diet is a huge step: Do your research and ask your doctor or nutritionist.

Include diverse sources of protein. Experiment with the varieties of food available; going vegan or vegetarian doesn’t have to be boring.

There is also a misconception that if you go vegan, you can’t become unhealthy or overweight; it is still possible if you don’t watch what you eat.

A recent study at Harvard revealed people who ate healthy plant-based foods had a 25% lower chance of getting heart disease. More research also showed people who follow a strictly vegetarian diet are more than two times less likely to have type 2 diabetes.

The crucial thing is getting quality diverse fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. The most simple and effective advice would be to eat a colourful diet. Each colour has a different flavour profile and nutritional value, as well as vital chemicals.

* Eat 10 fruits or vegetables daily

* Eat less processed foods

* Eat fewer meat replacements

* Eat dark green vegetables

It’s possible to get enough calcium on a vegan diet, through plants such as kale, collards, broccoli, and spinach, also with fortified dairy products such as soy milk.