Vegan Diet: Health Benefits, Foods To Eat And Avoid

The vegan diet has been slowly gaining momentum as a dietary approach worldwide. It emphasizes consuming whole, plant-based foods that offer many health benefits, including better heart health and sustainable weight loss.

The diet has attracted extensive attention due to its stand on animal cruelty, which is often caused by the production of animal-based products. It also is thought to promote environmental stability.

Whether you are considering a vegan diet for animal welfare, health, or environmental reasons, it is important to understand how it can affect your lifestyle before you decide to adopt it. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about the vegan diet, including the different types, benefits, cons, meal plans, and recipes. Continue reading.

At A Glance: Vegan Diet

• Principle: Intake of only plant-based foods and elimination of all animal-based foods, including dairy and eggs
• Purpose: To promote overall health, reduce environmental damage, and promote animal welfare
• Who It Is For: Anyone who wishes to lose weight, improve their health, and reduce animal cruelty and their carbon footprint
• Duration: Long-term
• Who Should Avoid: Anyone with nutritional deficiencies like that of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and calcium
• Cons: May cause nutritional deficiencies, may be hard to follow due to family or religious customs associated with food, and can be expensive

What Is Veganism?

Veganism is a lifestyle and dietary choice that restricts the exploitation of animals for culinary, clothing, and other purposes. Vegans, or people who follow veganism, do not consume meat, fish, dairy, and eggs or use animal-derived products such as leather and fur. They also avoid using cosmetics tested on animals or products that may have been procured through animal exploitation or harm.

Veganism is the strictest form of vegetarianism. People who decide to opt for this lifestyle follow the vegan diet. Let us learn more about this diet in the following section.

What Is A Vegan Diet?

A vegan diet is a type of vegetarian diet that eliminates all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin. People follow this eating pattern for various reasons, including ethical concerns about animal welfare and environmental considerations. The diet is also known for the potential health benefits associated with plant-based diets, such as lowered cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (1). However, veganism also has potential risks that we discuss in a later part of this article.

The vegan diet, just like other omnivorous diets, offers a range of choices and variations. You can find some of these in the following section.

Different Types Of Vegan Diets

The most common types of vegan diets are:

• The Whole Food Vegan Diet: It excludes processed foods like added sugars, white flour, and refined oils and relies on plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• The Raw Food Vegan Diet: This diet works on the premise that raw or minimally heated foods are more nutritious than cooked foods. It recommends the intake of raw fruits and vegetables or plant foods cooked below 118°F.
• The Raw Till 4 Diet: It promotes the consumption of raw foods until 4 in the evening, followed by a cooked plant-based meal for dinner. The diet is high in carbohydrates and low in fats and proteins.
• The 80/10/10 Diet: It promotes the intake of raw fruits and soft greens and limits fat-rich fruits/veggies like avocados. This low-fat, raw vegan diet suggests that 80% of your calories should come from carbs and the remaining 10% each from proteins and fats.
• The Starch Solution Diet: It relies on cooked starches such as rice and potatoes and limits fat-rich plants like avocados. The diet consists of 70% starch, 20% vegetables, and 10% fruits.
• The Junk Food Vegan Diet: It relies on mock meat and cheese and other heavily processed vegan foods like fries and dairy-free desserts. This diet can cause health issues like weight gain as it is high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats and low in nutritional value.

While a vegan diet can be a healthy and sustainable way of eating, the same is not true for all its variations. For instance, the Junk Food Vegan Diet might not be the best approach if you wish to lose weight. Hence, pay careful attention to nutrition to ensure the diet fulfills your dietary requirements.

Both vegans and vegetarians follow a plant-based dietary approach. But how are they different? We will explore the same in the next section.

Vegans Vs. Vegetarians

While vegans do not eat any products that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs, vegetarians may consume dairy products, eggs, or both. This means that dieting as a vegan is more restrictive than dieting as a vegetarian. Hence, vegans also are often at a higher risk of deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium (2). However, vegan dietary practices are also linked with numerous health benefits, such as a decreased risk of metabolic syndromeⁱ  XA medical term for conditions such as high blood pressure that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. and cardiovascular disease (1).

Both the vegan and vegetarian diets are healthy. A vegetarian approach might be ideal for you if you cannot do without dairy and eggs. Alternatively, you may go vegan if you can give up on them.

Did You Know?

The term ‘vegan’ was first coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, a British woodworker, who wanted to form a new term for people who were vegetarians but did not eat eggs or dairy.

The health benefits of adopting a vegan diet are many. From boosting your heart health to helping you with weight management, the diet can benefit you in numerous ways. Let us understand more in the next section.

Health Benefits Of Vegan Diets

• May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

Consumption of plant-based foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables and the elimination of animal products may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. A low-fat, plant-based diet was also found to possibly improve serum glucose concentrations, body weight, and blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes (5).

• May Lower Cholesterol And Promote Heart Health

Plant-based diets, when compared with a meat-based diet, may possibly help reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels more effectively (1). This, in turn, may benefit your heart health and reduce the risk of ischemic heart diseaseⁱ  XA condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to narrowed arteries that may eventually cause a heart attack. (3). However, some other research suggests that vegans may be at a slightly higher risk of ischemic heart disease when compared to those who consume animal products (4). Hence, further research is warranted in this regard.

• May Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

According to a study, plant-based diets may provide protection against cancers of the digestive system, including pancreatic cancer (6). However, another review of the association between plant-based diets and cancer mortality shows that the evidence is limited (7).

• May Aid In Weight Loss

Limiting the consumption of meat and dairy products may boost your overall health due to reduced calorie density and cholesterol intake (8). Vegan diets may be ideal for weight loss and weight management as they eliminate these calorie-dense animal products. In addition, they may also be beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes and arthritis (8). However, further research is needed to support these claims.

• May Improve Gut And Digestive Health

Adequate intake of dietary fiber may help prevent constipation (9). Since a vegan diet is rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, it may help with the same. Research also suggests that switching to a plant-based diet, such as a vegan diet, may increase the diversity of health-promoting gut bacteria (10).

In addition to these benefits, another study suggests that plant-based diets may benefit your kidney health. However, this study was conducted on plant-based diets in general and not specifically on vegan diets (11).

Weight loss is one of the many benefits of the vegan diet. Are you looking to lose a few inches through the vegan diet? The following section will give you more details.

Weight Loss From A Vegan Diet

A vegan weight loss diet can be an effective way to shed some extra pounds. However, it is important to note that the impact of a vegan diet on an individual’s weight depends on various factors, including their overall calorie intake, food choices, and lifestyle.

• Food Choices And Calorie Intake

A vegan diet does not always mean low calorie intake. You are bound to gain weight if you consume too many processed plant-based foods like fries, burgers, cookies, and cake. Hence, you must instead focus on consuming larger portions of nutrition-dense foods like fruits and vegetables that are low in calories.

• Portion Sizes

Pay attention to portion sizes and avoid overeating. A study shows that portion plates could be a promising tool for supporting healthy dietary behaviors (12). Most of them follow a common proportion of dividing half the plate for vegetables and a quarter each for protein and carbohydrates.

• Healthy Lifestyle

In addition to the right food choices and portion control, weight loss also requires a healthy lifestyle. Engage in regular physical activity and stay hydrated to complement your dietary efforts. Also ensure a proper sleep pattern, as better sleep health is associated with greater weight loss (13).

Going vegan involves making a commitment to exclude all animal products and by-products from your diet and lifestyle. This involves a process, and we discuss the same in the next section.

How To Go Vegan And How Does It Work?

Veganism involves adopting a lifestyle and dietary choices that forbid the intake and use of animal-based products and animal-derived materials, respectively. Here is what you can do.

• Start by educating yourself about veganism and the ethical and health benefits of choosing this lifestyle.
• Transition into the diet by designating certain days or meals as vegan and gradually increasing the frequency.
• Learn about plant-based sources of protein such as tofu and tempeh, dairy alternatives such as almond milk and soy yogurt, and other vegan pantry staples such as quinoa and nutritional yeast.
• Plan your meals ahead of time to ensure a well-balanced diet, and keep your kitchen stocked with vegan essentials like grains, vegetables, and lentils.
• Pay attention to food labels to ensure your packaged food has no non-vegan ingredients like dairy, eggs, or gelatin.
• Look for vegan-friendly restaurants in your area or when you travel if you are eating outside.
• Consider taking supplements or eating fortified foods to meet your nutritional requirements for vitamin B12, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Connect with like-minded communities online or offline for support, advice, and recipe ideas.

According to a survey conducted on 8,397 U.S. adults between the ages of 18-64, the percentage of people following the vegan diet among Gen Z and millennials was similar. However, the prevalence of veganism among Generation X and baby boomers was comparatively low. Check out the graph below for more details.

Percentage Of U.S. Vegan Individuals In 2022

Did You Know?

The vegan diet is also popular among celebrities. Brad Pitt, Zendaya, and Ariana Grande are some of the celebs who follow this lifestyle.

Transitioning to a vegan diet is a personal choice and a complete journey in itself. The first step in this journey is gaining a complete understanding of what foods to eat and what to avoid. Learn more in the next section.

Vegan Diet Food List

• Foods To Eat

• Foods To Avoid

Proper meal planning can help you effectively organize your meals and ensure you meet your nutritional requirements. Check out the sample vegan diet plan below to get some inspiration.

7-Day Vegan Meal Plan

The vegan diet also allows you to enjoy snacks in addition to your regular meals. The following sections will take you through some lip-smacking snacking options that are light and healthy.

Healthy Vegan Snacks

Here are some healthy vegan snacks you can enjoy:

• 1 sliced cucumber with 1 tablespoon of homemade hummus
• 4-6 baby carrots with 1 tablespoon of homemade hummus
• 1 cup of colorful fruit salad
• A handful of nuts and seeds
• 1 whole grain rice cake with 1 tablespoon of nut butter
• 1 cup of air-popped popcorn
• 1 sliced apple with 1 tablespoon of nut butter

From colorful veggie-loaded salads to satisfying plant-based delicacies, the vegan diet has plenty of options you can choose from. The following section will introduce you to two amazing recipes. Check them out!

Healthy Vegan Recipe Ideas

• Tofu Scramble

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 280 g extra firm tofu
• 100 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, crushed
• ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of cumin powder
• ½ tablespoon of sweet smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ½ small bunch of parsley, chopped
• 3 ½ tablespoons of spring onions, chopped

How To Prepare

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and add the finely chopped onion to it.
2. Fry for 8-10 minutes or until the onion turns golden brown.
3. Add turmeric, cumin powder, garlic, salt, and paprika, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Roughly mash the tofu and add it to the pan, followed by chopped tomatoes.
5. Cook for 5-6 minutes and turn off the heat.
6. Add chopped parsley and spring onions and fold them through the mixture.

• Chickpea Salad

Ingredients

• 400 g chickpeas, boiled
• 2 tablespoons of coriander, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons of parsley, roughly chopped
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of black olives, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 lemon, juiced

How To Prepare

1. Add chickpeas, onion, tomatoes, olives, parsley, and coriander to a bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
3. Mix well and enjoy!

While adopting a vegan diet offers a multitude of health benefits and aligns with your ethical values, you also need to be mindful of certain nutrient deficiencies. Know more about them in the next section.

Nutrients Of Concern On A Vegan Diet

Studies show that people on a vegan diet may have a higher deficiency risk of certain nutrients when compared to their meat-eating counterparts (14), (15). These nutrients include:

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D
• Eicosapentaenoic acidⁱ  XA healthy fat found in cold-water fatty fish like salmon that helps reduce heart disease risk and offers other health benefits. (EPA)
• Docosahexaenoic acidⁱ  XA healthy fat found in cold-water fatty fish like salmon that helps maintain normal brain function in adults and infants. (DHA)
• Calcium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Iodine

Therefore, when you transition to a vegan diet, it is essential to keep track of your intake of the various micro- and macro-nutrients to reduce the risk of any deficiencies. You may use any calorie- or nutrient-tracking application for this purpose.

While a well-planned vegan diet can provide many of these nutrients, you may have to rely on supplements as well. The following section sheds more light on this aspect.

Supplements To Consider On A Vegan Diet

You may consider opting for the following supplements to reduce your risk of nutrient deficiencies.

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)
• Iron
• Calcium
• Zinc

You may also consider taking protein supplements. While most vegans can meet their protein needs through whole plant foods, you may opt for vegan protein powder supplements made with soy, peas, or almonds if you have a higher protein requirement.

However, do note that not all vegans may need these supplements. Your nutrient needs depend on several factors like your age, gender, and underlying health conditions. Hence, always consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.

The vegan diet may also pose certain social challenges that can vary depending on your culture, family, and social contacts. Know more about these in the next section.

Social Challenges Of A Vegan Diet

• It can be challenging to find vegan-friendly restaurants or get-togethers.
• You may feel socially isolated during gatherings where animal products are the primary food options.
• You may encounter negative stereotypes about your diet, such as being labeled as preachy or overly restrictive.
• In some regions, vegan options may be limited or less diverse and lead to a monotonous diet and feelings of exclusion.
• Most cultural traditions often revolve around food, and going against them by adopting a vegan diet may create friction within the family.

While these challenges may feel overwhelming at first, the ethics of the vegan diet and its health benefits sure do outweigh them. But does this diet have any other drawbacks? Let us find out.

Possible Drawbacks Of A Vegan Diet

• Allergies or sensitivities to certain vegan foods such as nuts, soy, or gluten can severely limit your food choices.
• Some vegan products, such as specialty meat alternatives, can be more expensive than their non-vegan counterparts.
• Preparing balanced vegan meals from scratch may require more planning, which may not be ideal for those with busy lifestyles.

While there is nothing you can do about your food sensitivities, you can easily tackle other problems. For instance, instead of consuming specialty meat alternatives, you can try other recipes involving your regular fruits and vegetables. Also, if you have a busy lifestyle, try meal prepping on the weekends for the entire week.

Infographic: A Quick Guide To The Vegan Diet

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be a healthy and compassionate choice. However, it can also be challenging at first. From the foods you can eat to the ones you need to avoid, there are several things you need to be mindful of if you are going vegan. The following infographic provides you with a quick guide to the vegan diet. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I only eat raw food as a vegan?

Yes. Some vegan diet variations such as the Raw Food Vegan and Raw Till 4 diets allow you to eat raw foods.

Vegans tend to eat a lot of soy. Is this bad for you?

No, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that soy consumption is bad for you. That said, avoid relying completely on soy for protein. You may also consume other plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, seitan, and nutritional yeast. That said, be wary of soy if you have a soy allergy. Consult your nutritionist for alternatives.

Is a vegan diet suitable for children, pregnant individuals, and athletes?

Yes, an appropriately planned vegan diet that meets all the nutrient requirements may be suitable for children, pregnant individuals, and athletes. For instance, as per a study, a well-planned vegan diet, along with appropriate supplementation, can be ideal for most athletes (16). However, always consult with your healthcare expert before making any significant changes to any diet, especially if you are pregnant.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover all you need to know about the vegan diet with this informative video. Check it out to figure out if this plant-based dietary approach is ideal for your fitness needs.

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Eleana KaidanianRD, CDN, CPT-WFS

   

Eleana Kaidanian, RD, CDN, CPT-WFS, is a registered dietitian, certified dietitian nutritionist, NASM-certified personal trainer, and Women's Fitness Specialist. She has a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University and completed her clinical dietetic internship at Northwell Health. She is the owner of LI Nutritionist PLLC, a full-service virtual nutrition practice. Kaidanian has won the award of...more

Himanshi MahajanHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Himanshi Mahajan is a Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University and two years of experience in writing SEO-based and research-backed content across health and lifestyle genres. She aims to use her natural penchant for science and her love for writing to present engaging content to readers. When...more

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