Eating Vegan!!

Eating vegan, means eliminating all animal products from your diet. Products include, egg, poultry, dairy, fish and meat. This type has gained some popularity in the last couple decades, and is beneficial for you health. In fact it can reduce diabetes and obesity risk, lower cholesterol levels, and decrease the risk of death from heart attack. But sometime when not done right, eating vegan can become unhealthy, below is some things to help you navigate a vegan lifestyle.

Start off slowly-Going vegan suddenly can be a big adjustment for your body. Try starting your transition by being a part-time vegan – eat vegan until 6 PM and then finish your day off with moderate servings of fish, eggs and dairy. Continue this pattern for about a month before you cut out all animal products.

Get a boost of vitamin B12-Animal products are usually our main dietary source of vitamin B12, an essential vitamin that our bodies need to keep our nerve and blood cells healthy. Vegans are at increased risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia and neurological problems including uneven gait, numbness or tingling in the extremities, mood problems, dementia and decreased concentration. To maintain healthy vitamin B12 levels, vegans should take a 25 microgram vitamin-B12 supplement once a day. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement. 

Do Not Forget about the protein-Animal-based foods tend to be high in protein, so you should be sure to replace them with high-protein vegan alternatives. Beans, soymilk, quinoa, tofu, peanut butter and oatmeal are all good sources of protein. 

Do Not Rely on packaged vegan foods-Many pre-packaged vegan foods are loaded with artificial ingredients and sodium, and many are high in calories. If you check out the packaging, you may be surprised to find that many veggie burgers have more calories than a beef patty and might also have extra chemicals to make up for taste and color. Limit packaged vegan foods to no more than once a week.

Do Not Just eat raw food-Some vegans gravitate toward eating raw foods. In many cases, cooked vegetables, beans and grains may be easier for our bodies to digest and can provide us with more nutrients. Don't limit yourself to only raw or only cooked foods – mix it up for a healthy balance. 

As always with everything, this just a informative, and you should always consider any preexisting conditions or problems you may have. Also we recommend checking with your doctor before changing any health or food pattern.