Getting The Nutrients You Need From a Vegan Diet

A vegan diet omits the consumption of all animal products. These foods include meat, eggs, and dairy. Any food that has an animal source is a BIG NO for vegan people. Even gelatin and honey are restricted. 

So, how can you get the nutrients that you need with limited choices of food?

First, you must understand the vegan diet, plant-based food, and essential nutrients for the body. There may be numerous reasons why someone chooses veganism but one of the most common ones is the improvement of health. 

 Understanding the Vegan Diet 

Learning more about the basic concept of a vegan diet can give you the fulfillment of following your beliefs. It can also offer a healthier and more enjoyable life. This diet can help to:

• Lower blood sugar

• Lower cholesterol levels

• Lower triglycerides

• Decrease possibilities of heart diseases

• Lose weight

• Lower the chance of having cancers

Food and Nutrients

It is challenging to prepare your meals. Some opt to order their foods from credible stores to sustain their needs such as this more info on Veestro. Others choose to create their well-planned vegan diet which requires full-time attention.

Here are the nutrients you must focus on:

 Protein  is an essential component of the whole body. The skin, bones, muscles, and every organ need protein supply to be healthy. Vegans need to consume specific foods to load up their body with protein. They can get it from nuts, lentils, legumes, seeds, and grains. Soy milk and almond milk are great replacements for cow’s milk and also good sources of protein. Also, protein is just one thing. You can’t just enjoy eating vegan pancakes with peanut butter topping and ignore foods with other essential nutrients. Don’t do that! Other important nutrients follow below:

 Calcium  helps build stronger bones and avoid osteoporosis. This is a common disease due to weak bones that tend to break as we age. Dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli, and spinach, contain calcium. Soy milk and soybeans are not only tasty. They contain more calcium than other plant-based foods. If you find it so much of a hassle to do this and that, you can always go for a calcium supplement.

 Vitamin D3  is a lifetime partner of calcium. It boosts the immune system and helps your body to absorb calcium. And yes, it’s free! Get it from the sunlight between 6AM to 10AM to avoid ultraviolet rays that can cause skin diseases. Expose yourself within 10 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

 Vitamin C  for utmost protection. This plays an important role to strengthen all of your body systems. Get it from oranges, apples, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage, and other leafy greens. 

 Iron  helps to produce a sufficient amount of red blood cells. A vegan diet can supply a high amount of iron but plant-based iron is absorbed by the body less than meat-based iron. Wholemeal bread and flour, cereals, dried apricots, and prune juice have vast supplies of iron.

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids  assist the body to maintain a healthy heart. It can be found in walnuts, flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, and soya oil.

 Vitamin B12  prevents anemia. It helps to produce healthy red blood cells and a healthy nervous system. Cereals and soy milk are good providers of vitamin B12.

Now that you understand the importance of food and its nutrients, it is also crucial to know other consequences.

The Long-term Challenge

Veganism is such an amazing lifestyle. This full article also proves it accordingly. The epic part is you must embrace it fully and firmly. Forget about flavorful and savory junk foods. Always check the nutritional facts of preserved or processed food products. Keep an eye for high-quality foods that can contribute to your body. 

Consult Your Doctor

Being new to veganism is like learning to drive a car for the first time. It’s hard, it really is. You need to know that switching from one diet to another can cause serious health problems if done inappropriately. You may want to lose weight or show your appreciation and respect for animals so you choose to eat plant-based foods. But you should also consider the current status of your body. Are you pregnant, overweight, or underweight? Do you have diabetes or heart problems?

Never forget to ask your doctor’s advice about it. Do not engage in diet changes without consulting an expert’s recommendations.