With many people considering reducing their meat intake, the worldwide phenomenon that is Veganuary provides the perfect opportunity to re-think our daily diet and switch from animal produce to a more plant-based lifestyle.
There are lots of reasons people decide to go vegan, such as environmental concern and animal welfare, but eating this kind of diet also has some major health perks too.
According to Fitness First Middle East Nutrition Manager, Banin Shahine, it is richer in certain nutrients. Studies have shown that a vegan diet provides the body with more fibre, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds. These nutrients help the digestive system, protect the body from chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes and help cleanse the liver.
Here, Banin shares her six health benefits of going vegan:
A VEGAN DIET WILL HELP YOU EAT MORE WHOLE FOODS
Eliminating meat and dairy can help increase your whole food intake and will also encourage you to get more creative in the kitchen. When you lead a vegan lifestyle, naturally you will be consuming a lot more colour and variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, that provide the body with the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health.
YOU MAY FEEL A SPRING IN YOUR STEP
Processed foods and sugars can make you feel lethargic and lower your energy levels. Eating whole foods rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals will significantly boost your energy levels and lower your stress levels. Here are a few delicious plant-based foods to help increase your energy levels.
• Bananas are one of the best foods for energy. They are an excellent source of carbohydrates and are full of potassium and vitamin B6.
• Brown rice is extremely nutritious. It is less processed than white rice and retains more nutritional value in the form of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
• Apples are rich in antioxidants, natural sugars and fibre and provide a slow and sustained energy release.
• Edamame beans are relatively low in calories, but these satisfying pick-me-up snacks are full of proteins, carbs and fibre. Edamame beans also have huge amounts of vitamins and minerals that help increase energy.
• Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce and watercress are all excellent sources of vitamin B and have an important part to play in energy production to fight fatigue.
YOU’LL SLASH YOUR SATURATED FAT INTAKE
Saturated fat is primarily found in animal products like meat and cheese and it is a key factor in increasing cholesterol which contributes to many heart diseases. Adopting a vegan diet will automatically decrease your saturated fat intake.
FEWER MIGRAINES
Migraines are commonly linked to diet, and food can often be the trigger. Try and stay away from chocolate and cheese and opt for plant-based foods, especially organic products as the produce is much purer and less likely to trigger a migraine attack.
REDUCE THE RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE
A meat diet isn’t always best for the body, especially in high consumption. Recent studies have shown that by following a vegan diet you can reduce the risk of kidneys not functioning properly. Plant proteins are healthier for your organs and help encourage production levels within the liver and kidney.
You can find some great vegan recipes from Banin at www.bahrainthismonth.com
