Problems With Vegan Eating Right Mentality

By Edward Mitchell


Being a vegan isn't so unusual any more. Still, once you decide to become one, you will have to prepare yourself to all kinds of questions. Every decision concerning your life is your own, and you don't have to justify such decisions to anyone, or spending time explaining the vegan eating right mentality to people around you.

Vegan diet is, simply said, based on foods that don't contain animal products. So, no meat, eggs or dairy products. It is definitely much easier to be a vegetarian, because they do eat dairy products and eggs, and it's easier for them to replace some essential minerals and vitamins mostly found in animal products, such as vitamin b12 and protein.

Some important minerals and vitamins are contained mostly in animal based foods, for example vitamin B12, calcium, iron etc. B12 is especially important, because it keeps your blood and nerve cells healthy. If you don't get enough of it, you might become tired, weak, nervous or depressed. Various supplements are available and it is important to take them regularly.

Proteins are also quite important. Once consumed, they break into valuable amino acids, the ones your body cells need to be able grow and regenerate. When you don't eat meat, milk and eggs, you have to get proteins from other sources, for example quinoa, soy or lentils. You can calculate your protein needs using really simple formula. You need as much grams of protein as you weigh in kilograms.

Calcium keeps your bones strong and resistant. It's not so hard to replace it, because so many natural products contain higher amounts of calcium, including soy, kale, almonds and figs. What is important is that you try to consume mostly natural food, not highly processed ones. Soy, rice and almond milk can be bought in most stores, but you could also make your own almond milk, for example, quite easily.

Iron comes in two main variations, as easily absorbed and the one that cannot be so easily absorbed by your body. Animal based products contain easily absorbing iron. Iron can also be found in kale and other dark green leaf vegetables, sunflower seeds and legumes. It is important that you take enough natural sources of vitamin C with it, because vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron in your body, among other things.

Soy is really a great substitute for any animal product, but not if you consume overly processed foods only. Most soy products contain all kinds of additives and it is generally not recommendable to eat overly processed foods. It's much healthier to cook your own food, using soy flakes and fresh fruits and vegetables instead. If you don't have any ideas, buy yourself a good cookbook.

And another thing. Make a habit of reading product labels. You might be really surprised to see how many animal products can be found in, for example, ice cream, or even in some juices. They put animal gelatin in there, or some colors made out of dried beetles. By the way, vegans are generally happier than other people, and more satisfied with their lives.




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