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With so many alternative milks and soy products appearing on grocery store shelves lately, it should come as no surprise thatveganismis on the rise-about 3 percent of the U.S. population claims to be following a vegan diet, up from 2 percent in 2012, according to a 2018 Gallup poll. But there’s a lot more to the diet than just being a stricter form of vegetarianism. From what it is, why people do it and the nutritional pros and cons, to a typical day’s menu, we wanted to take a deep dive into the vegan diet and provide you with the ultimate guide to learning more and figuring out if it’s right for you.
Pictured recipe:Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts
What is the vegan diet?
What can vegans eat?
Generally speaking, vegans can eat the following foods:
What vegans can’t eat?
Vegans should avoid eating the following:
Foods that vegans may or may not be able to eat
In addition to looking for vegan labels and certifications on food packages, it’s important to always double-check the ingredients in packaged goods. A seemingly innocent, vegan-friendly-looking condiment could have an unexpected ingredient like anchovies in it, or a bread could have honey in it. Some vegans are stricter than others in terms of what they are willing to consume and how carefully they check ingredient lists.
Environmental impact of a vegan diet
Some choose to go vegan for environmental reasons. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, some vegans and vegetarians eliminate animal products for ethical reasons tied to the environment, as a means of protesting the conditions in which the animals are raised and/or slaughtered.
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), producing 1 pound of chicken meat requires 4.5 pounds of grain as feed, and 1 pound of pork requires 7.3 pounds of grain. For a 100-calorie portion of beef, 700 calories of feed are required. Thus, vegans believe it’s more efficient to directly eat these “feed ingredients”-soybeans and grains-instead of eating the animals that ate the soybeans and grains.
Learn more:Is a Vegan Diet Good for the Planet?
Is it cheaper to eat a vegan diet?
There may be a significant economic benefit if you eat a vegan diet. Foods like beans, rice and other grains, and fruits and vegetables tend to cost less than most meat and seafood items. Soy products and nondairy alternatives aren’t always cheap, but they generally don’t add up the way meat and seafood does.
On a large scale, a study published in theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesin 2016 estimated a projected savings of $289.1 billion in 2050 if everyone in the U.S. went vegan. But you wouldn’t necessarily see huge savings at the grocery checkout. Being smart with your plant-based purchases can help. You don’t need fancy products to be a vegan. Stocking up on basics like beans, whole grains, and in-season produce will help keep your overall grocery bill down. Making a list and planning in advance to minimize impulse purchases and keep costs down.
Another long-term cost that can be factored in is health care cost; a nutrient-dense, well-balanced vegan diet can result in better long-term health and thus fewer dollars spent on medications, doctor visits, hospital bills, or weight-loss assistance over the lifespan.
4 Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet (and a Few Potential Drawbacks)
Is it actually healthy?
If you’re considering switching to a vegan diet, there are certain nutrients to pay special attention to: iron, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and protein. People eating meat, seafood and dairy get most of these nutrients in abundance, but when you cut these food groups out of your diet, it’s important to make sure you’re still obtaining the recommended daily values.
A typical day of a vegan diet
Just because animal ingredients are off the table doesn’t mean you can’t get plenty of variety (and tasty meals) in your day.
Breakfast
It’s important to start the day off right with a hearty breakfast, and even when eggs and bacon are a no-go you have plenty of other options. Go for abowl of oatmeal, perhaps with sliced banana and peanut butter sprinkled to add extra vitamins and minerals. Don’t forget to hydrate with a glass of nondairy milk or calcium-fortified juice.
Mid-morning snack
Instead of a bag of chips or another coffee, slice up your favorite type of apple and dip the pieces into a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter. You’ll get some fiber from the fruit and protein from the nut butter.
Lunch
Turkey sandwiches on white bread with mayo are overrated. Your carnivore co-workers (or housemates) will be jealous when they see you preparing abuddha bowlin the communal work kitchen. With chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes and diced avocado, you’ll be filled up for the rest of the afternoon and can rest assured you’ve gotten plenty of protein, fiber and healthy fats.
Afternoon snack
Who needs the vending machine when you’ve made your owntrail mix? Toss together an assortment of your favorite nuts, dried fruits and flaked coconut. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add citrus zest or spices to really jazz it up.
Dinner
Sure, takeout is easy, but sometimes it’s difficult to be sure the restaurant has used all vegan-friendly ingredients. You can easily whip together astir-fryat home and be confident your dish is entirely vegan. With tofu, snap peas, spinach, broccoli and peppers, you’ll obtain protein, calcium, vitamin D, iron and fiber. For some extra substance, add a side of brown rice or soba noodles.
Dessert
Make a large batch ofchiapudding using coconut milk and your preferred sweetener. Top with fresh berries and mint. Chia seeds are full of healthy omega-3 fats and protein. This would also make a great breakfast!
Bottom line
Even if you’re not ready to go fully on a vegan diet, there are lots of benefits to eating moreplant-based mealsand foods. With planning, it’s possible to eat a healthy and nutritionally-sound vegan diet. There also may be environmental and money-saving benefits.
If you’re considering switching to a vegan diet, check out our vegantipspage.
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