The Vegan Life
Long considered to be a life resigned to rabbit food, the vegan lifestyle is one of the most popular new ways of living being adopted by people all around Perth.
Not only is it great for the environment, it is also amazing for your body.
Sure, we know that a good bit of red meat will help you with your iron, but a completely plant-based diet could be just the thing your body needs to correct itself.
What is vegan life?
In case you’re not “in the know”, vegans (in addition to being vegetarians), do not use any other animal products or by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics and soaps derived from animal products.
A typical vegan lifestyle involves grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
According to Nutritionist and Wellness Coach Melanie Eager, veganism is about three simple things – the health of the individual, the animals and the planet.
“I believe veganism is a journey about being kind to all,” she said.
“This includes other people who are not on the vegan journey.
I believe we all have a path to walk and we make our own decisions in our own time.
Lead by example. Show people how great the food is, how there are alternatives to leather and that entertainment does not mean circus shows and aquatic centers.”
The problem that many vegans find is that there is still the opportunity to eat foods that are bad for you, such as sugar, white flour and processed food.
A lot of new vegans are worried that they will not have enough protein in their diets.
Whilst this can be true, all it takes is a little bit of culinary creativity to find that otherwise misplaced protein.
All of this can be achieved by increasing your intake of legumes and nuts and incorporating soy into your diet.
Why go vegan
There are numerous reasons to switch to a plant-based lifestyle!
On average, vegans are slimmer than their meat-eating comrades.
Generally, a vegan lifestyle leaves you healthier – which is logical, considering all of the roughage afforded to you in a vegan lifestyle.
How to go vegan
According to Melanie, the vegan life does not need to be difficult.
She and her husband took the plunge at the same time and supported each other through the process.
“For me, I found the transition relatively easy, as my husband and I both became vegan at the same time, therefore we had that support from each other,” she said.
“But nowadays there is a lot of support on and offline. Find good recipes and know where to go if you want to eat out. Don’t make it difficult for yourself, or others when you go out. Educate yourself.
“Know why you are doing it and seek the support that you need.”
Planning is paramount
The most important thing about a vegan diet is the preparation.
In the first month of your vegan life, it is a good idea to buy a vegan cookbook and create a meal plan.
Did you know?
Flo Rida and Ariana Grande are among a slew of celebrities adopting a vegan lifestyle.