Living a healthy lifestyle has always been a great priority here at Styles at Life, and today’s hot topic is about veganism and its benefits. Over the years, veganism has gone from the misconception of being bland and boring to becoming one of the trendiest diets around. Celebrities and social media personalities have contributed to its rising popularity, either swearing by its effects or advocating animal welfare.
The best thing is that you can feel its benefits in just a few weeks. Here are six ways a vegan diet can better your health in a month.
1. Clearer Skin and Less Frequent Breakouts:
Any change in diet will affect your skin, but specifically eliminating meat products can be good news for getting rid of acne. Allure interviewed dermatologist Manjula Jegasothy, who shared her views on rising rates of hormonal acne. “It’s all coming from the hormones that the animals we eat are being fed or injected with,” the expert stated. Non-organic meat may cause hormonal imbalances that trigger the face’s oil glands, which can result to breakouts.
In the case of switching to a vegan diet, the body will undergo a process of getting rid of toxins. Clearer, luminous skin can be expected, which is a great bonus.
2. Weight Loss and Better Weight Management:
The Huffington Post reported on a study that shows vegans have a lower BMI (body mass index) than meat-eaters. Vegan meals contain less calories and have higher fiber content, which means it can keep a person feel full longer with smaller amounts of food. This is good news for anyone trying to shed a few pounds, especially for fighting weight-related conditions like obesity.
Fiber is a key ingredient which most whole grain food contain, but is not so much found in meat. Keep in mind that vegan meals refer to whole food like legumes, beans, and greens, and not processed food like french fries!
3. Encourage People to Cook:
Contrary to popular belief, vegan diets do not just consist of salads. In fact, vegan diets include much experimentation in the kitchen. Home-cooked meals are generally healthier than pre-packaged food, too.
Preparing your own food will make you mindful of the ingredients you include, reminding you to choose healthier options all the time. This is an especially great skill to have when you want to fix up a quick and healthy vegan snack in the kitchen versus ordering takeout.
4. Lower Risk for Chronic Diseases:
Plant-based diets can impede the likelihood of developing a chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and tumor growth. Medical News Today explains that the bio-active compounds found in plant-based diets can work against the genetic factors linked to some chronic diseases. The antioxidants found in plant-based food combat free radical cells, which are the culprits of cell damage and inflammation.
5. Healthier Heart:
A plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart diseases for it avoids plaque buildup in the blood vessels. One of today’s most scrutinized people, Meghan Markle, is convinced of this effect, as well as the other health benefits of vegan food. Markle eats vegan on weekdays, and shares that eating more plant-based meals keeps her fit and healthy. Wise advice from the soon-to-be royal!
6. Supports an Active Lifestyle:
Meat is not necessarily required to complement an active lifestyle. Just take a look at former Dancing With the Stars contestant Derek Hough who switched to a vegan diet. The professional dancer was known for following a rigorous diet during his time on Dancing With the Stars, but he went on record to say that his recent experimentation with hot yoga and consuming a plant-based diet has allowed him to achieve more of his fitness goals.
This busts the long-time myth that plant-based diets are not for people who like to constantly engage in physical activity. In fact, many elite athletes have adopted this diet, like martial artist Mac Danzig and skier Heather Mills. In the end, a well-planned diet coupled with regular exercise still holds the key to athletic success.
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