Whether you are vegan or thinking about transitioning, the large variety of plant
based foods coming into our local supermarkets, (due to the increasing number of
people choosing a vegan diet or plant based diet for personal and health reasons),
makes it a much easier and convenient time to try out some yummy plant foods.
Benefits of Vegan “plant based” eating
- Going plant based has many benefits and people all around the world are
recognizing the positive impact it has on their health and the environment. - Depending on what your person goals are: weight loss, healing dis-ease,
increased stamina and focus, a deeper spiritual connection, all can be
achieved by what we put into our bodies. - Did you know that every vegan saves nearly 200 animals per year?
- Vegans are, on average, up to 9kg lighter in weight than meat-eaters.
- According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegans are less likely to
develop cancer, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure than meat-
eaters are. - Going vegan means, you can still eat all your favourite foods, including ice-
cream, burgers and “chicken” sandwiches. The difference is… You’ll be
ditching the cruelty and cholesterol that go hand in hand with eating animal for
foods. - Animal flesh is often contaminated with blood, faeces, body fluids and various
other toxins, which could make animal derived foods a source of food
poisoning. - Eating meat does not just hurt animals, it hurts people too, as it takes tons of
crops and water to raise farmed animals. Plant food can therefore be used
more effectively and efficiently when eaten directly by people. - The more people who go vegan, the more we are able to feed the hungry.
- Meat production causes enormous amounts of pollution and is wasteful.
- Did you know? …The meat industry is one of the biggest causes of climate
change. - Animals used for food are every bit as intelligent as the pet animals who share
our homes are. Did you know?… Pigs can learn to play video games.
Animals have rights too
Supporters of animal rights believe that animals have an inherent worth—a value
separate from their usefulness to humans.
Think before you eat, know your food and where it comes from, know the “bigger
picture” impact your food has on others and on your own health, and lastly, keep in
mind that every creature with a will to live has a right to live free from pain and
suffering.
It can be daunting at first, but we in South Africa do have a wide variety available to
substitute meat, dairy and cheese. And there are many resources out there to help
guide us. All it requires is a little research and a bit of effort…for the greater good.
“I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and
cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living
things, with feelings. And I just couldn’t disconnect myself from it any longer.” -Ellen
DeGeneres
#WorldVeganDay #plant #plantbasedfood #veggies
