There are many reasons to become a vegan, animal welfare, the planet and, of course, the health benefits. Many people think that becoming a vegan means giving up all of the foods they love and subsisting on a diet of bland vegetables. This is not true! There are many delicious vegan foods available, and as long as you are eating a balanced diet, you will be getting all of the nutrients your body needs. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the health benefits associated with veganism, as well as what happens to your body when you become a vegan.
Changes in Weight
Many people worry that they will gain weight when they become vegan. However, this is not always the case. In fact, many people find that they lose weight once they make the switch to a vegan diet. This may be because vegans tend to eat more whole foods and less processed foods, which are often high in calories.
Of course, if you switch to a plant-based diet and decide to live off of the processed options and too many carbohydrates, you will see your weight go up.
Changes in cravings and tastes
Many people find that cravings for junk food go away once they switch to a vegan diet. Since you are no longer eating any animal products, your body is not used to getting its dose of fat, so it will begin craving less fatty foods and more whole foods.
If you have been relying on meat as the primary source of protein in your diet, then you will likely find that your taste for meat changes, and you may even start to dislike the taste. This is because when you eat a vegan diet, you are getting all of the protein your body needs from plant-based sources.
Gas/Bloating
When you first make the switch to a plant-based diet, you may notice an increase in bloating and gas. This unwanted side effect often occurs because your body is not used to digesting all those extra legumes, beans, and vegetables. The good news is that this side effect should go away within a few weeks of eating vegan!
Microbiome changes
Another thing that may change when you make the switch to a vegan diet is your microbiome. The microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses and other microbes that live in our bodies and help us digest food, among other things.
When you eat meat, dairy and eggs, you are also eating all of the bacteria that come along with them. This is because these products are all derived from animals. When you switch to a vegan diet, you no longer eat any of those bacteria, so your microbiome will start to change for the better.
Heather Russell, dietician for the Vegan Society, says;
“Evidence is emerging that these bacteria influence multiple aspects of our health, so it’s important to keep them happy. They seem to thrive when we eat certain plant-based foods. Leeks, asparagus, onions, wheat, oats, beans, peas and lentils provide prebiotic fibre.”
It’s been proven that gut health affects many aspects of our overall health, so it’s important to make sure your microbiome is as healthy as possible.
More Energy
People worry about their iron and B12 levels causing fatigue when switching to a plant-based diet. But it’s been shown that the opposite is true.
Protein, iron and B12 levels remain stable when switching to a vegan diet as long as you’re planning your meals healthily and taking supplements if needed.
If anything, people report having more energy after making the switch due to increased fruit and vegetable intake, which are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Glowing Complexion
A glowing complexion is just another benefit of becoming vegan. This is again down to the high intake of antioxidants in fruit and vegetables, as well as the fact that animal products are known to cause inflammation in the body.
Vitamin imbalances
If you don’t plan your diet to ensure it’s balanced, you may find you end up with vitamin and mineral imbalances. However, this is easily rectified by learning about what foods provide the necessary vitamins and minerals. Alternatively, you can opt to take supplements or eat fortified foods.
Decreased risks of heart and blood vessel disease, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer
Studies have also shown that those who follow a vegan diet are at lower risk of heart and blood vessel disease, type II diabetes and bowel cancer. This is thought to be down to the fact that animal products contain cholesterol and unhealthy fats, which can increase your risk of developing any of these conditions. A plant-based diet is naturally low in these unhealthy fats, so you will reduce your risk of these diseases by reducing or removing animal products from your diet.
So, there you have it, we have answered the question, what happens to your body when you become a vegan. A vegan diet is beneficial to your health in more ways than one. So, not only does it help the planet and persecuted animals such as cows, sheep, pigs and chickens, but it also keeps you healthy and happy.
A vegan diet is not without health risks, however. Studies have shown that vegans are at a higher risk of developing vitamin B12 and omega-three deficiencies. Vitamin B12 can be found in dairy products and eggs, but it is also available in fortified foods and supplements. Omega-threes can be found in oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, but they are also present in flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts. If you are vegan, it is important to make sure that you include these foods in your diet to ensure that you remain healthy. Find out more about food swaps here.
