Thinking about Going Vegan in 2015?
You may have already heard, but there are many benefits to switching to a whole foods, plant-based, vegan diet.
- Weight loss
- Cholesterol reduction
- Blood pressure control
- Reducing your risk for diabetes and/or heart disease
- Getting off your meds
- Super amounts of energy
… not to mention it’s better for the animals and the environment.
But what else can you expect? Are there any other benefits?
Oh yes, amazing things will start to happen as you finally give your body the nutrition it has been craving! It will finally have the ingredients it needs to heal itself from years of damage brought on by the standard american diet.
That’s the thing many people don’t realize. Oh sure their food tastes good, and may be fast to microwave or easy to prepare, but there’s usually no real nutrition in any of it.
It’s mostly salt, sugar, and fat!
When you finally start giving your body what it needs, the fiber, the vitamins, the nutrients, you will feel the difference! And usually faster than a speeding locomotive!
Here are 9 Additional Benefits of Going Vegan
Now many of these may seem kind of silly, but I can assure you they are (or can be) benefits- in one way or the other. I intended this to be a fun way of looking at our vegan diet. Thanks to Jerry Angelo over at the McDougall Forum for the idea and content.
#1. You can stuff your face and still feel like taking a walk!
Because plant foods are so nutrient dense, and not calorie dense, you can eat till your heart’s (or stomach’s) content and not feel over full or bloated. And because there’s less calories you will lose weight. Bonus!
#2. Washing dishes just became a lot easier since you’re no longer using oil.
Ever cringe at the thought of putting your hands in that greasy, sudsy dish water after a big meaty meal? Less oil means less dishwashing liquid and a lot less time washing dishes. A quick wipe and rinse is usually all it takes.
Speaking of a quick wipe…
#3. You’ll be buying a lot less toilet paper!
Thanks to all that healthy fiber in those beans & veggies, those bathroom trips are about to get a lot quicker. When everything moves like it’s suppose to, you’ll be in and out in no time, and using a lot less TP.
Something about all that grease we used to eat made for some messy wiping and a lot of clogged toilets.
#4. You’ll smell like a rose too!
Well not exactly, but I know you’ve walked into a public bathroom right after someone DID clog the toilet. No amount of matches in the world can mask that smell. I have a buddy at work that can clear a room with one rip. Let’s face it – eating meat, makes you stink.
But without all those sulfur compounds in the meat and dairy you gave up, your body odor, your farts, and yes, even your poop will be a lot less smellier.
#5. The cost of a SAD dinner out can feed you for a week.
My wife and out went out to dinner awhile back, and holy cow have prices gone up!
Assuming the average cost of a dinner out, with a drink or two included, is $40-$50 bucks, my gosh I could buy enough healthy vegan groceries to eat on for a week, or two!
Bulk beans and rice are very inexpensive. Throw in some frozen veggies and some canned beans and tomatoes and I got enough staples to be full, fat, and happy for much more than 2 single meals. And maybe even enough left over for that drink too!
#6. Steak vs Potatoes
Which is more economical? A Rib Eye Steak for $5.99/lb (Safeway) or THIRTY pounds of Potatoes for $5.91 (Walmart)?
I don’t know about you but I can make and freeze a lot of potato dishes with 30 lbs of spuds. That’s a lot of fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, an yes even Protein for $6.
And what do I get with the steak? Angina, kidney stones, gall stones, heartburn, clogged intestines, heartburn, …….
#7. Tell people you’re going Vegan and no one will steal your lunches!
I love it when we get the occasional pizza treat at work. I work with a room full of velociraptors who devour anything on sight, but plop down a vegan pizza and that sucker will sit there all night.
Once your co-workers know you’re going vegan you can pretty much rest assured your kale/cucumber sandwiches with tofu mayo are safe
#8. Eliminate those annoying co-workers by telling them your going vegan
Pretty much the fastest way to ensure those annoying co-workers (or family members) avoid you is giving them your best “I’m Going Vegan” pitch.
Trust me – they’ll avoid you like the plague. Not sure if this is necessarily a good thing, but I do know it works like a charm.
#9. And the best added benefit of going vegan?
Amazing food!
Yes we’re vegan, but we still eat French Fries, Pizza, Burritos, Chili, Sloppy Joes, Stir Frys, Spaghetti, Pancakes, ……
Vegans love good food so say YES to the carbs!
Get healthy. Go Vegan.
Photo Source: S is for Superman, Flickr: Gareth Simpson
Photo Source: Crispy, Oven Baked, French Fries, Brandnewvegan
