How do you know if you’re in the presence of a Vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. Veganism is not a new concept, despite being the subject of much cultural satire, 11.2% of the Australian population is now vegan. So you’re not cornfused, vegans, like vegetarians, consume no meat, fish or poultry. They also consume no dairy, eggs or animal by-product. Being vegan doesn’t mean living off a diet of lettuce and carrots, in fact, most of your favourite food can be made vegan by using a variety of plant based ingredients. Still not convinced? Read on to understand the three main reasons people choose the all-natural life and what ingredients you can use to enjoy a plant based diet, lettuce explain.
One of the most common reasons for choosing Veganism is having a strong ethical opposition. Some Vegans have an emotional attachment to animals and have concerns about the psychological or physical stress, animals are subjected to. They share a belief that animal products need not be eaten for health purposes, and are actually harmful to our bodies. Hence, Veganism.
Animal welfare isn’t the only reason people choose the #Veganlife. Many choose this lifestyle to protect the environment. Breeding livestock for food and human consumption is a huge contributor to greenhouse gases, water pollution and deforestations, which leads to the destruction of habitats. The resources used to feed the animals as they mature, would be better utilized by growing plant food to be directly consumed by humans.
Another reason people go #veeg is for the associated health benefits. Many Vegan’s believe that living a healthy lifestyle can help you enjoy a longer, healthier life and prevent a number of the serious health concerns. Plant based diets are low in saturated fat, high in fibre and full of antioxidants. Healthy Vegans commonly experience lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and a lower intake of saturated fats, resulting increased energy levels, rejuvenated skin and a healthier body weight (yes please!).
A mindfully planned Vegan diet is rich in all the key nutritional categories. The key to a healthy Vegan diet is a balance of varied foods that aid vitamin and mineral absorption. Think nuts, grains, seeds, chickpeas, lentils, rice, tofu, potatoes, soy milk and peanut butter (!!!). It’s not all plain salads and vegetables, with the right ingredients, you can create a diet that is richly diverse. Anyone fancy some Vegan pasta, Vegan pies, Vegan sausage rolls, even Vegan desserts?
There is no shortage of Vegan meetups, communities and restaurants on the Gold Coast. If you want to start cooking Vegan for yourself, Earth Markets is your one stop shop. We pride ourselves on delivering the freshest produce available, that won’t cost you an arm and a leek. We also offer gourmet groceries and an in-store delicatessen, to stock up on all the nuts, grains and pulses. Visit our Fresh Facts Facebook group and spread the #veganlove.