Semaglutide Side Effects: How a Vegan Diet Can Help
In a late night interview recently, Tracy Morgan was asked why he looks so great. He smiles with a one-word response, “Ozempic.” He also claims to have gained weight while taking the drug. In fact, many have claimed to suffer side effects, too.
For those who have not heard yet, Ozempic® and Wegovy® are brand names for the weight loss and diabetes drug generically named semaglutide. Because diabetes type 2 and obesity run in my family, I can’t help but think of my siblings when I see a celebrity open up about their health and weight struggles. I also approach food as medicine and understand that nurturing our bodies with nutrition-rich vegetables, grains and fruits heals and strengthens our gut microbiome.
All drugs have side effects
Every FDA-approved drug sold over the counter or by prescription has a warning label. While civil lawsuits have popped up against the drug, the medical community has been quick to defend the efficacy of semaglutide, as in the interview below:
In the video above, Nurse Practitioner Crystal Roni Smith points out that many people who are experiencing problems are those who are not changing their diets. “If you are slowing down the gut to utilize more glucose but still eating a half a bag of Doritos, you are not eating nutrients.”
Questions About Pairing Semaglutide With a Vegan Diet
Is semaglutide vegan? I have come across search results that claim semaglutide is not vegan because of the yeast used to create it. However, live yeast is a fungi, not an animal, and so not considered off limits in a vegan diet.
Does a vegan diet help or hurt the efficacy of semaglutide? Semaglutide is part of a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic GLP-1 in order to stimulate insulin production and dial down hunger signals. A whole foods, plant-based diet also supports the GLP-1 hormone, making it more likely that a person sticking to a vegan diet after going off the medication is more likely to maintain their weight and health than a person who eats meat and processed foods.3.
Can a vegan diet replace this expensive drug? This is only a question you can answer for yourself in consultation with your doctor. For some, taking semaglutide to help kickstart your shift to a healthier lifestyle may be the answer. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet.
Semaglutide can be a game-changer for weight loss. But let’s be real, no one enjoys those side effects. Nausea, constipation, and fatigue are common complaints. But here’s the good news: a vegan diet might be your secret weapon to mitigating unwanted side effects from the drug.
Here’s why:
Nausea Relief: Plant-based foods are naturally lower in fat, which can be easier on your stomach as you adjust to semaglutide. Think soothing smoothies, comforting soups, and fiber-rich fruits and veggies.
Conquer Constipation: Fiber is your best friend when it comes to constipation, and vegan diets are packed with it. Load up on beans, lentils, whole grains, and leafy greens to keep things moving.
Energy Boost: Ditching the Doritos and other processed foods and embracing whole, plant-based options can work wonders for your energy levels. Think vibrant salads, hearty veggie bowls, and nutrient-packed snacks.
Plant-based Foods for Semaglutide Support:
Ginger: a natural nausea-buster. Sip on ginger tea or add fresh ginger to your meals.
Flaxseeds: the king of seeds. These nutrient-rich, fiber powerbombs can help regulate digestion and combat constipation.
Berries: Packed with antioxidants and, yes, more fiber, berries are a delicious way to support gut health and boost energy.
Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are nutritional power boosts, providing essential vitamins and minerals for overall well-being.
Important Note:
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medication regimen.
Individual experiences may vary, and it’s essential to listen to your body and seek professional guidance.
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Struggling with weight? Looking for a supportive, professional telehealth team you can trust? Check out the Body Miracle Membership today!
Imagine. A vegan diet can help reverse heart disease. Have you heard a doctor say that? My father would never have believed it. And yet it was his change in diet and lifestyle that saved him. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. But there’s good news: recent research highlights the potential of vegan diets in reversing the effects of heart disease.
A focus on plant-based foods can significantly improve heart health and reduce cardiovascular risks, according to a growing number of studies. Quite frankly, I’ve heard more and more doctors agree that a vegan diet, or at least mostly plant-based, can help reverse heart disease.
When I was a teenager, my father had a massive heart attack. As he gained strength in recovery, he continued the regimen that his cardiologist had put him on, recommending that he eat more vegetables, fruit, and fiber-rich grains, and cut back on meat, greasy foods and fats. He sat there one morning at the breakfast table, staring at the bowl of shredded wheat my mother had put before him. He scowled at me. “Yah mother! She has me eating cardboard!” he scoffed in his thick Rhode Island accent. And yet he did not give up on the new diet prescribed to him. I saw him get his energy back and his humor, too.
The Science Behind Vegan Diets and Heart Health
These days, medical students are rarely taught nutrition, agrees Plant Docs, a new non-profit group that shares the power of plant-based nutrition to prevent, improve, and even reverse heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune diseases.
Despite the lack of education around diet and health in the medical industry, more and more reports are showing the correlation between a vegan diet and a reversal of heart disease, among other things. As a result, more doctors, like Plant Docs, are educating themselves and getting certified in plant-based nutrition.
The following is a list of recent studies that link plant-based choices with heart health:
Cholesterol and blood pressure: A 2021 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that plant-based diets significantly lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.
Inflammation and heart disease: A 2023 study published in MDPIshowed that a vegan diet can reduce markers of inflammation, which is a key factor in heart disease development.
Overall cardiovascular health: a 2023 report from Stanford Medicine revealed that a vegan diet improves cardiovascular health in as little as eight weeks.
Perhaps one of the most notable if not the top report comes from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. They wrote:
Groundbreaking research shows that a plant-based diet doesn’t just prevent heart disease but that it can manage and sometimes even reverse it. [Read More]
Key Benefits of Going Plant-based
Improved Lipid Profiles: Vegan diets are free of dietary cholesterol and low in saturated fats, leading to improved lipid profiles. Studies show these diets can reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 30 percent.
Enhanced Blood Vessel Health: A 2023 study in MPDI found that the antioxidants and polyphenols in plant foods improve endothelial function, crucial for maintaining healthy blood vessels.
Reduced Risk of Atherosclerosis: Recent evidence suggests that plant-based diets can help prevent and even reverse atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by plaque build-up in the arteries.
Notable studies with whole food, plant-based diets
The BROAD Study (2020): This study demonstrated that participants on a whole-food, plant-based diet showed significant improvements in heart disease markers and overall cardiovascular health.
The Adventist Health Study-2 (2022): This large-scale study found that individuals following a vegan diet had a 75% lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared to omnivores.
Practical Tips for Transitioning to a Vegan Diet
Making changes in our lives never seems to be easy. Yet when you shift your viewpoint, transitioning to a vegan diet will become a smooth ride for you. Many patients, when they get a doctor’s order to make changes, they think in terms of having to give up things they love. I invite you to consider this: When you consider your health and quality of life, it’s not about giving up the foods you love, but loving the foods that give you life. So relax, allow yourself to explore the new without worrying about what you may be missing. And I suspect you may not miss anything. Start with the list here below:
Gradual Changes: Start by incorporating more plant-based meals and reduce animal products over time.
Focus on Diversity: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes to ensure a balanced nutrient intake.
Seek Guidance: Consult with nutritionists familiar with vegan diets to maintain proper nutrition.
Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest research and resources to support a healthy transition.
Stay Positive: Seek the company of those who emotionally support your new choices.
A Vegan Path Towards Better Long-term Health
A vegan diet offers a powerful approach to reversing heart disease by reducing key risk factors and promoting overall cardiovascular health. With continued research and endorsements from experts in the field, adopting a plant-based lifestyle remains a transformative step towards improved heart health and longevity.
Switching to a vegan* diet? Sure, you may call it a lifestyle choice. But when you start to feel your energy return, excess weight drop, and even reversals for the better in blood test results, you may find yourself getting hooked on better health. The major influence that a whole foods, plant-based diet can have on your overall well-being is in the transformation of your gut microbiome, making your digestive system happier and healthier.
Let’s dive into how plant-based eating enhances your lower gastrointestinal tract, supports long-term perks of healthy digestion, and specific gut-friendly foods. I will also share with you the ill effects of indulging in meat, and the magic of probiotics to keep your gut flora balanced and robust.
* When I use the word ‘vegan’ I want to be clear that I’m referring to a whole foods, plant-based diet.
The Vegan Diet and Your Gut: A Love Story
I lived with my mother in her later years. She suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, a common disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract. At that time, her doctors knew practically nothing about the illness, and gave her less than useful advice. The daily medications prescribed masked her symptoms but had no redeeming qualities for curing her condition. She continued to suffer from diarrhea or constipation, bloating and abdominal pain. The doctors warned her against the very foods, like nuts and seeds, that help support a healthy gut. Not once did any professional tell her to stop eating hot dogs.
I wasn’t much help either at the time, as I knew little about a plant-based diet myself. I had not learned how a vegan diet affects your gut, sensitive to the microbiome diversity that feeds our overall health and well-being. And before the advent of the Internet, it was not so easy to find relevant information, either. As I got older and began to experience similar symptoms that my mom had suffered, I fell into worry if I were doomed to repeat history.
A few years later when I went vegan for ethical reasons (usually vegan refers to a lifestyle, not necessarily healthy eating), I discovered the beneficial side effects of eating plant-based whole foods – no more digestive issues for me, except when I jumped off the plant-based wagon. And given that I was not much of one to eat hot dogs – or other meat – anyway, the transition felt easy and, well, clean..
Fiber: Your Gut’s Beneficial Bacteria Boost
Going vegan means naturally loading up on fiber, the unsung hero of gut health. Fiber acts as a prebiotic, feeding good bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These little guys keep your gut balanced and your body happy.
With a a fiber-rich , your body ramps up the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These are gut superheroes, reducing inflammation and boosting digestion. A plant-based diet sets the stage for beneficial bacteria to flourish.
Microbial Diversity Galore
A diverse vegan diet means a diverse gut microbiome. This diversity is linked to a stronger immune system and overall better health. Fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes provide the nutrients needed for a robust microbiome. According to a systematic review, several studies have identified a link between plant-based diets and the decreased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and other health issues. Read more about the effect of plant-based diets on gut microbiota here at the PubMed Central Archives..
The Occasional Meat or Fish Slip
What if you sneak in some meat or fish? If your body is regularly accustomed to plant-based, whole foods, then straying from that diet, may trigger some issues. Here’s what might happen:
Digestive Discomfort. Your body might protest with bloating or an upset stomach. It’s just not used to those animal proteins and fats anymore.
Microbiome Shuffle. Your gut microbiome might do a little dance to adjust to the new arrivals, with cramps or gas. This shift is usually temporary.
Inflammation Alert. Some folks might experience inflammation. Your gut needs a moment to recalibrate and get back to its happy place.
Long-Term Benefits of Going Vegan
Gut Health: The Long Game
Stick with a vegan diet, and you’ll likely see sustained gut health improvements. Fiber-rich foods help beneficial bacteria thrive, keeping your gut in top shape. Remember, we are talking about a plant-based, whole foods plan, not switching from processed foods to other processed foods, just because they are cruelty-free. When i think cruelty-free, i also think about treating myself in a cruelty-free way – more fresh produce and healthy grains, less junk food.
Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases
A healthy gut can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers. A vegan diet helps reduce inflammation and improve metabolism. While many sources are ick to say that more studies are needed, studies so far have proven that greater adherence to a healthful plant-based diet has been associated with a lower risk of mortality, cancer, and particularly cardiovascular disease. [Source]
A diverse microbiome means a stronger immune system. Long-term veganism can help your body fend off infections and illnesses. There’s growing evidence that a healthy gut can boost your mood and cognitive function, too, potentially reducing anxiety and depression. I will report on this in a separate post – some controversy around these topics deserve a closer look.
Foods That Love Your Gut
Leafy Greens. Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are packed with fiber and nutrients, promoting healthy gut bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Legumes. Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are fiber and protein powerhouses, supporting digestion and feeding good bacteria.
Fermented Foods. Sauerkraut, kimchi, and tempeh are loaded with probiotics, introducing beneficial bacteria to your gut.
Whole Grains. Oats, quinoa, and brown rice offer soluble fiber, maintaining a healthy gut lining and encouraging good bacteria growth.
Fruits. Berries, apples, and bananas are fiber-rich and full of vitamins, creating a healthy gut environment.
Nuts and Seeds. Almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds provide fiber and healthy fats, supporting gut health and reducing inflammation.
Probiotics: The Gut’s Secret Weapon
Probiotics are live microorganisms that bring health benefits. They help maintain a balanced gut, aid digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation.
Getting Your Probiotics Fix
Fermented Foods/Plant-based Probiotics: Enjoy dairy-free yogurts, kombucha, sauerkraut, and vegan kimchi. Try coconut or nut milk yogurts and fermented soy products like miso.
Probiotic Supplements: These come in various forms and can help you get your daily dose of good bacteria.
Want to know how to care for your gut with a vegan diet?
Going vegan can transform your gut microbiome by boosting fiber intake, enhancing beneficial bacteria, and promoting diversity. While the occasional meat slip might cause temporary discomfort, a plant-based diet supports a healthy gut in the long run. Embrace specific foods and probiotics to further optimize gut health, leading to better digestion and overall well-being. Living a vegan lifestyle might just be the key to a healthier, more balanced life.
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Why do some thrive on a vegan diet while others fail? Find out why here.
Veganuary, the annual New Year’s diet challenge to go 100 percent plant-based, has grown over the last seven years to be a fun way to join others in kicking off the year with healthier resolve. The month-long challenge invites you, not only to make healthier food choices but also to bring greater awareness to living a vegan lifestyle.
Why Join the Veganuary Challenge?
When Veganuary was launched in 2014, 3,000 people joined in. This year marks the first time since its inception seven years ago to have over one million participants, proving Veganuary to be one of the greatest global movements of our century. The goal of the Veganuary Challenge is to grow more awareness about how a vegan lifestyle supports our health and our environment. You may be simply curious, ready to explore, or already a hardcore vegan. Wherever you stand on your path, Veganuary is about having fun with others while learning more about ourselves and blossoming our passion for a healthy body and a healthy planet.
The Veganuary Challenge helps you grow in compassion for our planet as a whole. While mainstream media still touts fossil fuels as the biggest contribution to climate change, the data shows otherwise: nearly 60 percent of our greenhouse gasses comes from meat production. Check out this report from the Guardian:
The difference in emissions between meat and plant production is stark – to produce 1kg of wheat, 2.5kg of greenhouse gases are emitted. A single kilo of beef, meanwhile, creates 70kg of emissions. The researchers said that societies should be aware of this significant discrepancy when addressing the climate crisis. [READ MORE]
It all hit home for me one day when I asked the grocer about a few particular soy products that i no longer saw on the shelves. He responded that a significant amount of soy production had recently been repurposed for food for livestock. The logic behind this, given the state of our planet, is completely upside down for me. This information helped strengthen my resolve to go vegan.
Tip 1: Understand Plant-Based Versus Vegan
What’s the difference?
It’s pretty obvious when you go to the produce section that you will choose plants. But what about processed foods and prepared dishes, what are their ingredients? When I first became vegan, I mistook these two terms, thinking they meant the same thing. That resulted in a lot of bad grocery choices that I only realized when I got home from the market. Unless a food package is clearly marked vegan, read the label. It’s pretty simple, really: a vegan dish or meal contains no animal products whatsoever. Plant-based can mean anything from partially plant-based, mixed with animal products, to a fully 100 percent vegan meal (no animals).
Think healthy plant-based vegan
Not all vegan diets are healthy, and many nonvegans are quick to point this out. It certainly takes a lot more than avoiding animal products to live a healthy lifestyle. We often see social media influencers online that claimed at one point to be vegan only to quit and blame the vegan diet for its lack of nutrition. Hello! Are these people eating junk? It’s the salt, oil, sugar, and lack of nutrients in processed foods that is to blame! The vibrant health results that come with a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle are key to supporting a true vegan path.
Bottom line? Read labels, cut back on processed foods, and spend more time in the produce section than in the cereal and snack aisle.
Tip 2: Plan Your Meals
The value of meal planning
Meal planning became my best buddy during the Veganuary sprint. Not only did it save me time and stress, but it also ensured that I was getting a balanced diet. Meal planning helps you get out ahead of the bad snacking and fast junk food habits. Start with your grocery list. Make sure you are always supplied with your favorite staples in the pantry.
This last year of 2023 has been about the AI explosion. I find it a lot easier to go to my AI chatbot* to get a good vegan meal plan or grocery list, as I don’t have a lot of time to write it all out myself. The chatbot also answers any recipe or dietary questions I may have, saving me a lot of time in research. Try creating a preferred meal plan of your own here.
*NOTE: My new AI plant-based vegan bot is still new and learning. if you are not satisfied with your answers, ask again, and tweak for specific information, such as “I’d like an Italian meal plan for this week” or “include snacks” or avoid (or no) chickpeas”. The bot will get familiar with your tastes and grow with you!
Find Go-To Easy Vegan Recipes
I love cooking, but how many of us have time for it? Veganuary has given me the focus I need to plan, shop, cook and eat all the wonderful food my healthy body craves – without worrying about time anymore. A little planning saves a lot of time.
Discovering simple vegan recipes makes meal prep a breeze. Making time once or twice a week for batch cooking (even living alone I cook in volume) will save you stress and worry during the week. Simple online searches uncover oodles of recipes, whether you like reading them or watching how-to videos (which I love). In a hurry? You can go to MyPlant-basedCoach – a chatbot ready to help with all your vegan questions – and simply ask for any kind of recipe you are craving at the moment. From loaded soups to fulfilling salads, these dishes keep me satisfied, energized, and clear-headed.
Tip 3: Educate Yourself on Nutrition
Getting the Right Nutrients
Just making vegan choices may not be enough for your body or clarity of mind. I make it a point to educate myself on how to get essential nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins.
How I Optimize My Vegan Diet
Through consulting resources such as One Green Planet and tracking my intake of food and drink, I was able to optimize my vegan diet for my specific health needs. Listening to podcasts like the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has helped me stay focused on my goals.
Tip 4: Find Your Community
Connecting with Other Vegans
In the beginning, I started out on my vegan journey alone. I learned not to react to family or friends when they teased me. Yet I had no idea just how difficult – and toxic – that approach was until I started meeting and cultivating more friendships with vegans. Joining a community of like-minded people made a world of difference. From online groups to local meetups, I found support and inspiration from vegan communities.
The Impact of Community Support
Isolating oneself is never a healthy choice. With the encouragement of my new friends, Veganuary has become not just a personal challenge to start the year off with but also a shared experience that empowers me.
Tip 5: Be Prepared for Eating Out
No vegan restaurants?
When I first became vegan seven years ago (same age as Veganuary), There were no local vegan restaurants. Now, I can find at least a handful, but I also want to spend time with my nonvegan friends, too. Eating out presented its own set of challenges, but with some research and flexibility, I found plenty of vegan options at various restaurants.
Tip 6: Try New Foods and Recipes
Discovering New Ingredients Rocks
One of the most exciting parts of Veganuary for me has been experimenting with new foods and recipes. Who knew that cashews make tasty cream or kale is a nutritious addition to (m)eatloaf? I have broadened my palate and found new favorites on the way.
My Favorite Vegan Food Discoveries
My move to become a vegan started many years ago when I lived in Japan. I still ate meat and fish at the time, but I gravitated towards unfamiliar ingredients offered in Asian cuisine.. Here are a few of the staples in my kitchen:
Tofu. Its versatility, from smoothies to scrambled veggie bowls, makes it an easy protein to incorporate into all sorts of recipes.
Greens. Their importance in our health and longevity cannot be emphasized enough. From cabbage to courgettes, vegan recipes that show you how to incorporate greens are abundant on the web.
Rice. After eight years in Tokyo, all I can say is, I love white rice. And despite critics, it makes me feel good.
Beans. They are loaded with nutrients and protein. Uncovering their versatility has been a joy for me.
Seasonal vegetables. Food choices vary with the seasons, and in season local veggies always taste the best!
Tip 7: Be gentle to yourself
Imperfection is naturally perfect
Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle is a journey. I have learned to be more compassionate with myself when I slip up. We humans make it a habit to beat ourselves up with self-criticism, which becomes a hamster wheel that does not move forward, blocking progress. Be kind to yourself is not just some pithy line. It really makes a difference in our lives across the board when we relax the inner critic. Every day is a fresh start with new opportunities to do better.
Why Veganuary is a great challenge
Reflecting on my Veganuary experiences over recent years, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment. I continue to improve my cooking prowess while also making a positive impact on my health and the planet – not to mention all the friends I’ve made along the way.
How to join Veganuary and make your own impact
The way I view food and its connection to the world has been transformed forever and for good. I am excited to continue this journey and share the joys of a vegan lifestyle with others. Won’t you join me? Click here to start!
Top 10 personal benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle
A vegan lifestyle encompasses an entire approach to living, not just a diet. If you are wondering if you can adopt a vegan lifestyle to improve your health, look more closely at a healthy vegan diet. For health benefits, we vegans focus on not just plant-based but also whole foods.
A vegan diet doesn’t sound too appetizing to most animal product lovers. Changing one’s palate overnight is not easy, especially when you are brought up to believe it’s natural to eat meat and dairy.
Yet a vegan diet is kinder to your health and to your wallet. You also gain the benefit of knowing that you’re being kinder to animals and the environment. Making the switch isn’t easy. But knowing more about the benefits that veganism provides may help you lean towards more plant-based choices for your own benefit, and perhaps strengthen your resolve if you are trying to commit to a vegan lifestyle.
You need not be hard on yourself if you find making the transition difficult or slow. It’s not necessary to make a complete change overnight. Make the change slowly over time, if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the more plant-based, whole foods you eat, the happier your body and overall health will be.
A vegan lifestyle has many advantages to offer
Here are my top 10 personal reasons why I benefit from my vegan lifestyle:
Vegans (who eat whole foods and avoid processed foods) enjoy better overall health. You can count on having lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, risk of heart disease, and risk of Type-2 diabetes, according to study results from Harvard Health.
A vegan lifestyle is better for the environment. The resources necessary for meat production are unsustainable for the health of our planet. Far more water and land are required to provide one serving of beef than one service of fruit, grains, or vegetables. Consider how much grain a cow or pig must consume to reach adult weight.
Veganism is kinder to animals. Animals raised for meat often live horrible lives, not to mention they all are killed before they die of natural causes. Poor living conditions breeding poor health are the norm for animals produced for meat. Even cows raised for milk production or chickens raised for eggs often endure horrific living conditions.
Adding healthy plant-based choices to your daily food intake decreases your psychological dependence on unhealthy food choices. Your body receives nourishment, which reduces cravings. Vegans don’t need to restrict their calories, because whole foods provide health benefits. Vegans are much less likely to overeat, unless they continue to indulge in processed foods filled with unhealthy oils, fats, and too much salt.
Disease prevention. People who adopt a vegan lifestyle can reverse diseases and enjoy lower incidences of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Check out this interview from Nutrition Action.
Easier body weight control. Vegan populations have lower body mass indices than those that consume meat regularly.
Increased longevity. Those that avoid meat and milk products live an average of six years longer than those that consume those food products. A vegan lifestyle can be a reliable way to ensure you spend a few more years living your life.
Migraine relief. Vegans report having fewer migraine headaches than non-vegans. Those that routinely suffer from migraine headaches can often find relief by adopting a vegan diet.
Fewer contaminants in food. Meat, milk, and eggs can potentially introduce unhealthy chemicals into the diet. Many herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals can concentrate in animal-based fat. The animals that provide these foods are often given growth hormones and antibiotics that can remain in the products you consume.
A vegan diet can be less expensive. Meat and cheese tend to be expensive food items. Consider how inexpensive beans, rice, oatmeal, and many vegetables can be. That’s not to say a vegan can’t spend a lot of money at the grocery store, but the option to keep food costs to a minimum is there.
Stick with a vegan lifestyle for your own personal benefits
Sticking with a vegan lifestyle requires dedication and planning. The many benefits you’ll enjoy by eating a vegan diet are priceless. The diet can benefit your health, finances, self-esteem, and your waistline. The environment also benefits when fewer animal products are consumed. Consider these advantages and decide if a vegan lifestyle is for you.
If you still are eating a carnivore diet, try having a few vegan meals each week. Notice how you feel 2-4 hours after consuming them. This alone might be a good enough reason to make the switch. If you really want to commit to a vegan lifestyle and are finding it difficult, simply add more plant-based whole foods to your diet. The nutritious effects you will receive will also help you eventually turn away from bad food choices.
