Celebrating veganism and health for World Vegan Month

Some people believe that you need to eat animal products in order to be healthy, but that simply isn’t the case. Every major nutritionist organisation in the world, including the British Dietetics Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recognises that a balanced vegan diet is healthy and provides all of the nutrients we need to live a happy, healthy life. Research has even showed that those following a plant-based diet suffer lower rates of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Vegan nutrition

Obtaining all the nutrients your body needs on a vegan diet is possible, but as with all diets it requires some knowledge and planning.

Top tips for being a healthy vegan

1. Wholefoods: Base your diet around wholefoods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes. This is because wholefoods are rich are nutrients but now in added sugar, salt and fat.
2. Limit vegan junk food: It can be exciting to see your favourite sweet treats and comfort foods turning vegan or bringing out vegan versions, but resisting temptation is better for your health and it makes them more special when you do indulge!
3. Vitamin B12: Ensure you are consuming a reliable source of vitamin B12, which is important for so many bodily functions like keeping your nerve cells healthy and keeping your energised. You can consume foods that are B12 fortified or take a daily supplement.
4. Healthy omega fats: For heart, brain and mental health, try to include flax and/or chia seeds and walnuts in your diet, as well as other nuts and seeds for those healthy omega fats.
5. Variety is the spice of life! Like all diets, a good variety of different plant foods and proteins will ensure your body has access to all the nutrients it needs, as well as keeping your diet varied and interesting.

Health is an excellent reason to make the switch to a vegan lifestyle – but it isn’t the only one! A plant-based diet is also better for the planet and for animals, in fact it is one of the best things you can do to prevent animal suffering on a mass scale.