The Right Kind of Vegan

Week 1 

Vegan Diet was the decided diet for week one of our 30 Day Cleanse. Giving up flesh, animal protein, dairy and all animal products has numerous health benefits. If done right the vegan diet can be easier on your digestion, healthier for your body, and better for the planet. There are tips to follow to make sure you are doing it in the healthiest way possible and make it an easy transition. 

Preparing for a Vegan Diet doesnt require much additional work besides adjusting your shopping list. The most important thing to remember is when you remove the animal protien from your diet replace it with plant based protein and NOT processed foods, meat substitutes, excessive grains, sugars or junk food. The best plant based protein options to replace animal proteins are Lentils, Beans, Quinoa and Fermented Soy. Its also important to make sure your increase vegetables and other plant based foods higher in protiens like Green Peas, Spinach, Broccoli, Beans, Nuts like almonds, cashews, & pistachios. Be very cautious of not over doing the grains particularly wheat, gluten, white flour etc. Many meat alternatives are wheat and gluten based and can be terrible for weight loss and digestion. Try to refrain from eating soy based meat alternatives and a lot of the processed "Vegan" products on the market they really are not very good for you but more or less preying on the consumer. Tempeh is a safe form but stay away from Tofu and soy milk.  

Because meat tends to be pricier then other foods you will save $$$ on this diet particularly if you choose NOT to spend the extra money on meat alternatives. Spend the saved money on Organic produce as well as nuts and seeds. Eating out is still an option and there are many amazing vegan and vegetarian resteraunts so save for some of those splurges. If it is within your budget you can always use a food delivery service and refine your dietary needs as well as variety but make sure you explain some of the above dietary needs like Soy Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free etc. 

Read more about what it means to truly go Vegan often people mistake it with being vegetarian which is not the case. To truly be Vegan you must give up any and all foods, casings, clothing, products, or supplements that use animal in anyway that includes dairy, animal protein, certain supplements, etc. Get ready to read labels alot of meat substitutes like to use things like casein or whey, gelatin and natural red 4 all of which are not truly vegan. On these Labels is where you will also find the hidden ingredients like Wheat, White Flour, or Soy so keep an eye out for labels or better yet try to eat as few packaged foods as possible.

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