Vegan nutrition basically refers to the overall health and nutritional aspects of vegan diets. A well-rounded, balanced vegan diet is appropriate to fulfill all dietary needs for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients at all stages of life. The vegan diet has many benefits including weight loss, more energy, better digestion, and a healthier skin. Veganism is not a diet; rather, it is a lifestyle choice which promotes health. People choose veganism for personal reasons, but also for the environmental and social reasons that vegans are fighting for worldwide justice to end animal abuse and restore natural balance in the planet’s ecosystem.
There are several vegan diet nutritional requirements. Calcium is one of the most important requirements. Deficiencies of this mineral in both children and adults can result in weak bones, poor growth, and possible disorders like osteoporosis. Vitamin D, another vegan diet requirement, helps absorb calcium and phosphorus in the body, both of which are essential to strong bones. Iron, which is a vegan diet requirement for red blood cell creation, helps prevent anemia and certain cancers.
There are several vegan diets that include eating fish, as long as it is done in moderation and accompanied by soy products. Some vegans even claim to be hypoallergenic, although there is no clear proof of this. However, a large percentage of the world’s population is lactose intolerant, so if you’re allergic to dairy products, which is probably what you are if you’re going the vegan diet, you will have to eliminate eggs from your diet. Also, peanuts and walnuts are a good substitution if you’re not allergic to dairy products.
If you’re vegan, you may also want to consider some dairy alternatives. Dairy milk alternatives come in two flavors: non-homogenized and concentrated. (A lot of Asian countries have a taboo against using soy milk in regular dairy drinks.) If you’re on a dairy free diet, you can substitute soy milk for milk and yogurt, and vice versa.
A third type of vegan diet snack that’s important for overall health and nutrition is flax seed oil. It has many health benefits, including omega fatty acids, vitamin B-12, minerals, and antioxidant activity. The magnesium in flax seed oil is also important for the brain and nerves. It is important in the treatment of depression, arthritis, eczema, asthma, heart disease, and other diseases.
These are just three of the main sources include legumes and vegetables. I also eat brown rice and whole grain breads, which are also important sources of protein. If you don’t eat beans, nuts, or other animal products, there are still lots of choices for protein. Meat should be used in moderation, and only in small quantities, for example; it should be used in stew or chili. By following a vegan diet, you will get plenty of nutritious foods.