About Vegan Eating Right Mentality

By Edward Mitchell


Today, it became popular to be a vegan. Even so, vegans usually have to explain too many things to too many people who simply do not understand this so called vegan eating right mentality. Your life decisions are your own, and you don't have to explain them to anyone. Vegans are happier and healthier people in general, and that should be enough.

If you want to simplify things, you can say that being vegan means that you don't eat animal products based food. Vegetarians, for example, often eat milk and other dairy products, and they eat eggs as well. It's a little bit easier for them, because they don't have to worry so much about some essential vitamins and minerals that are mostly contained in animal based foods.

It is really important to get some essential minerals and vitamins. B12, for example, is contained in animal products and has to be replaced with different supplements. B12 keeps your nerve and blood cells healthy, and deficiency leads to tiredness, constipation and weakness. Other symptoms include various problems with nerves or even depression.

Protein deficiency may also cause different issues. The reason for this is the fact that protein breaks into amino acids that promote cell regeneration and growth. Since protein can be found mostly in animal foods, it's important to replace it with soy, quinoa, lentils and similar natural sources of protein. Experts say that every person needs around a gram of protein for every kilogram of a body weight.

Several minerals are highly important, for example calcium. All dairy products contain high levels of calcium, but it can also be found in some other foods, for example in almonds, kale, soy products and many other tasty foods. Milk replacements are generally great sources for calcium, including soy and almond milk. Almond milk can be easily made in your own kitchen.

Iron can be absorbed easily or not so easily, because there are different types of iron in human foods and supplements. The one found in animal products is easier to absorb, but the one found in different seeds, for example sunflower seeds, is equally valuable. It can also be found in different vegetables, mostly in those with dark green leaves. Consume it together with vitamin C to promote the absorption.

Soy is perfectly fine if you don't take over-processed soy products only. These products may contain all sorts of chemicals you don't want to have in your diet. Miso, tempek and tofu are fine, but you can make your own soy based foods as well. There are so many good cookbooks today, and combining soy flakes with fresh vegetables in your kitchen is one much better solution.

Another thing you should take into consideration is reading all product labels. You might get surprised to see how much strange ingredient you might find there. For example, gelatin based topping in fruity ice cream. Red color in sweets is made by processing dried ants. Lovely color, but really disgusting idea. Vegans are generally much happier people, if you didn't know.




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