Carefully monitoring what goes into the body improves health. While shedding unwanted fat and boosting vitamins, energy increases. Taking a proactive approach to better health protects the environment and prevents animal exploitation. Another vital resource one protects by living Vegan, is the wallet. People save money by eliminating junk food from the buggy and body.
Improve Health
According to the American Dietetic Association, diets that avoid meat have lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher levels of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants. Those who avoid meat have a lower body mass index. Consequently, they suffer fewer health problems such hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prostate and colon cancer. Vegans also boast clearer skin and brighter eyes.
Increase Energy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that people consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Forty-two percent of Americans consume less than 2 per day. Vegans enjoy a variety of filling whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Low-fat protein and iron is found in beans, legumes, and nuts. Broccoli, kale, tofu, and soymilk provide ample calcium. Fueled with nutrient-rich foods absent the fat, vegans are naturally lighter on their feet.
Protect the Environment
Animal agriculture requires massive amounts of land, water, fertilizer, and other resources. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization links animal agriculture to the aquatic ecosystem contamination, soil, and drinking water by manure, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as acid rain from ammonia emissions.
Prevent Animal Exploitation
The farmer who nurtured the land and respected the creatures that grazed it is nearly obsolete, and in his place rises the powerful and dangerous force, corporate farming.
To maximize profit, factory farms confine animals to the smallest space possible, controlling every aspect of life and behavior. Animals are fed the cheapest food and pumped full of antibiotics, hormones, and growth-enhancing drugs to ensure rapid weight gain. Slaughterhouses are run like assembly lines with an emphasis on speed and meat quantity.
Save Money
Consider quality versus quantity. That bag of cookies may seem less expensive than the bag of apples. However, one apple contains fewer calories than one cookie, and constitutes one serving of fruit. Compile that fact with the likelihood that most people will not eat just one cookie or more than one apple, and find by simply eating healthier, vegans eat less and save money.
Do not think vegans have to give up everything decadent to be a true Vegan. Trade in the cheeseburger for the original fast-food, berries, grapes, cherry tomatoes, and bananas. Vegans can still enjoy a large variety of snack foods right off the grocer’s shelf, including most Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies and Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips.
Check out these websites for more vegan approved foods and recipes
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
 |
