If you’re looking for ways to improve your diet, cutting out animal products might be the way to go. Reducing your dependency on meat, eggs, and dairy comes with a host of health benefits. Here are some of the top reasons to consider making a major dietary change.
There Are Plenty of Alternatives
Serious progress has been made in the introduction of alternatives to animal products. Whether it’s eggs, dairy, meat, or all three that you’re reluctant to give up, there are plenty of alternatives to be found. If you’re not ready to give up mayo and or cookie dough, hamptoncreek offers egg-free alternatives that taste just as good as the real thing. Eggs are notorious for being the perfect hiding place for salmonella, so you can continue to enjoy the foods you love without worrying about the foodborne illness.
Help the Environment
Although there are plenty of people who give up animal products to be an advocate for animals, you’ll also greatly reduce your carbon footprint when you significantly reduce or eliminate your intake of meat, eggs, and dairy. You can potentially save 600 gallons of water per day just by going vegan. When you cut out red meat, you’ll also help slow the advancement of global warming. Cattle are known for producing harmful amounts of methane emissions, and stopping your consumption of red meat will create less demand for beef.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Many vegans notice almost immediate weight loss once they transition to an entirely plant-based diet. Fresh fruits and veggies have fewer calories than animal products, and it’s hard to go over your calorie goal when your diet is mostly comprised of vegetables and whole grains. If you’re interested in staying at a healthy weight for the rest of your life, consider eliminating or drastically reducing the number of animal products that you consume.
Lower Your Risk of Cancer
Vegetables are packed with essential phytochemicals that work to prevent cancer. Most Americans don’t consume adequate amounts of fruits and veggies, but you can raise your defense against cancer by saying no to animal products and instead choosing to eat primarily veggies.
Have a Healthy Heart
Most animal products are high in unhealthy saturated fats and cholesterol. Eggs are especially high in cholesterol, and there are so many egg alternatives available that they’re easy to avoid once you put your mind to it. If you’d like to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, try to eliminate animal products from your diet. However, it’s also important to get enough exercise and make an effort to break away from sedentary habits to keep your heart in good condition for years to come.
Get Clear Skin
If you’re an adult who is still plagued by acne, dairy is a likely culprit. Its inflammatory properties are known for causing acne. If you’re tired of suffering from breakouts despite keeping up a skin care routine, cut dairy out of your diet for at least a month to see if your skin clears. If you’re pleased with the results, consider permanently removing dairy from your diet.
Advocate Animal Welfare
Many of us would prefer not to think about where animal products come from. If you’re not comfortable with the thought of animals living in cramped, unsanitary conditions, then it’s a wise choice to alter your diet to reflect your beliefs. Even eggs that are labeled “free range” are often produced by hens that are not truly able to roam freely. The conditions that animals are forced to live in are quite horrifying. If you’re not able to raise your own food, consider cutting animal products out of your diet completely.
Tips to Get Started
If you’re interested in becoming vegetarian or vegan, it’s often a good idea to start small. Most people prefer to make small changes while they work on the transition. Trying to cut out all animal products at once often leads to poor choices like relying on pasta, and that’s not a healthy decision. While you’re working on making the switch, make sure to stock up on plenty of fruits, veggies, and animal product alternatives at the store. To stay motivated and on track, borrow a few cookbooks from the library or purchase books that you’re interested in. It’s also a good idea to seek support, whether that’s from a friend or family member or from an online community. Within a month, you could potentially notice a big difference in your health from cutting out animal products.
