The Basics of Being Vegan

Hey, it’s us here from Nutravita! Happy New Year and cheers to a new decade! It’s a new year and a fresh start, and today is the day that your Veganuary Challenge begins :). We hope you are as excited as we are for everything we have lined up for you in this VIP Veganuary Guide.  

We want to help you thrive on a plant based diet, by making delicious and quick meals for minimal cost. Your new diet can have incredible benefits to your health and the planet at the same time. Make these great changes with us and you may never want to go back to eating animal derived products again.

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is a registered charity that aims to raise money by encouraging the public to go vegan for the month of January each year. The non-profit organisation has inspired more than half a million people in 178 countries to go vegan since 2014. Their main vision is that they want a vegan world, without animal farms and slaughterhouses, and where food production does not cause deforestation or pollution. Veganuary is now a mass movement, with brands, restaurants and supermarkets aligning to promote a plant based diet.

Vegans, Future Vegans, Non-Vegans

Vegans
For those of you who have already adopted a vegan lifestyle, our VIP guide will enable you to keep leading a healthier life! We aim to provide you with the tools to extend your vegan knowledge.

Future Vegans
Our VIP guide will provide you with the basics to start you journey to a plant- based lifestyle. We have done our research to give you the best guides to help you feel prepared for this wonderful transition you are going to embark on.

Non Vegans
Regardless of what you currently eat, our VIP guide will support you with easy to read information and tips to support you should you wish to transition to a vegan lifestyle.

Some people go vegan effortlessly and if that's the right approach for you, brilliant. But don't be concerned if it takes you a while. Being vegan takes getting used to, but it takes time to establish what will work best for you.

What is Veganism?

The definition of veganism from The Vegan Society states:- 

"A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

Whilst vegetarianism has been commonly recognised for many years, veganism is a newer movement and can leave some people feeling confused as to what is and is not permitted. 

Vegans exclude all forms of animal exploitation from their diets, including eggs and milk. Vegetarians exclude meat and fish from their diet but may still eat other animal products such as honey, dairy or eggs.

Many individuals are attracted to the vegan lifestyle because of its many personal, planetary, and ethical benefits.

Studies show that a vegan diet can deliver health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obesity.

From an environmental perspective, if more people on the planet were to go vegan this would lead to a radical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

How can a Vegan Diet Change Your Body, Mind and the Planet? 

A vegan diet has been backed by science to have multiple health benefits for your body. A well-balanced vegan diet can contribute to a higher daily intake of certain beneficial nutrients, including fibre, magnesium, antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E. Therefore many vegans experience increased energy levels on a plant-based diet. Furthermore, eating fresh fruit and vegetable can counter the risks of dangerous diseases, like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Some research has even linked a vegan diet to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

A vegan diet has wider benefits, including preventing the exploitation of animals. Avoiding animal derived products is one of the best ways to take a stand against animal cruelty. The production of meat and animal products also places a heavy burden on the environment, due to the crops and water used to feed the animals and the subsequent transport involved from farm to fork. Therefore, this small change you are making can have a big impact!

Check out our Vegan Shopping List & Tick List to help you on your Vegan journey!