I’ve been vegan for over a year and as cliché as it sounds, it was one of the best decisions I ever made for a variety of reasons.
1. I know exactly what I am putting into my body.
Most of us are not born vegan, as a result we have engraved habits that may be hard to break. The first few months transitioning will consist of learning to comprehend food packaging labels. As time passes, you will learn how to not only recognize animal products by the allergy warning, but by the ingredients. Non-vegan products tend to have a bunch of “insert name” acids as its primary ingredients listed. Whereas most vegan products contain a comprehensible list of identifiable substances such as, water, sea salt or whole grains. It’s comforting to know exactly what I am putting into my body and learning how it affects me. Eating plant-based foods reduces your consumption of processed foods, which in turn minimizes your risk for their potential health threats.
2. I feel an increase in natural energy.
Whether it be surviving a three-hour seminar or enduring a night shift at work, my energy level is crucial. Before, I needed to drink at least one cup of coffee first thing in the morning to function like a normal human being. Now I’ve subbed my mug for a glass of water in the morning and will have a fruit based breakfast. The constant natural sugar intake allows me to sustain my energy, while preventing a crash. Working in a coffee shop, I still consume caffeine on a normal basis, but the days I go without it I’m not as hindered as before. It’s nice to drink a cup of coffee out of routine, rather than dependency.
3. I am more in sync with my body.
Most animal-based diets, require calorie restrictions to lose or maintain a desired weight. Whereas, “eat until you’re full,” is a popular frame of thought in the vegan community. Without the presence of animal-products, you can never over eat if you are consuming whole foods. Although this takes time to figure out what constitutes as “full,” afterwards you feel more in touch with your body. I know which foods make me feel bloated, sleepy, etc. This allows me to quickly pinpoint if a new food has positive or negative effects for me. I am better able to fuel my body properly, which is good for all around health.
4. I save a lot of money.
On a college budget, I’ll take any chance I can to save money. Contrary to stereotypes, eating a vegan lifestyle is cheaper both in weekly groceries and in the long run; you just have to be willing to do your research. When you buy produce in season or frozen you save a lot more than if you were to buy meat. People will often mistake meat-substitute products as a representation of vegan prices. Yes, it’s true vegan burgers tend to be more expensive then the real ones, but the whole foods prices cancel out this comparison. I used to spend about $100 per week on groceries and now it’s down to a consistent $50 or less.
5. I am motivated by the green domino effect
Veganism is more than just a diet, but it’s a lifestyle. This means all belongings and purchases are cruelty free and made without animal products, as well as taking actions to help with sustainability. In contrast, eating plant-based only encompasses just the dietary aspect. People go plant-based for a variety reasons ranging from allergies to weight control. Whereas, veganism motivation stems from caring about your health, the planet, and the animals. After I transitioned from plant-based to vegan, I set off a green domino effect towards my motivation. For instance, although I know almond milk is a dairy alternative it also wastes a lot of water. So my groceries opt for soy or coconut instead. It's a nice feeling knowing your daily habits don't harm animals in the process.
