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All You Need To Know About Being A Healthy Vegan!

By Dhwani Jerajani +2 more

Veganism is the new mantra of health among fitness enthusiasts. This food culture was once known only by a few hippies who voiced against animal cruelty and killing an animal for food.But now this has come a long way, evolving into a full-fledged way of life. For many, vegan food would only mean a no-meat, no-dairy and no-egg diet.However, there is more to know about this new trend currently hitting the millennial and fitness enthusiasts like a storm. If veganism is on your mind, here is all you need to know about vegan food and vegan lifestyle from MasterChef Nirali Sharma to help you weigh out your choices.Nirali Sharma has around 14 years of experience in the catering and hospitality management industry and has worked with big brands like Celebrations Restaurant, Lalji’s Hotels and Restaurants, Bombay Bright Restaurant  and Diet Box. She is currently the Vice President of Shree Hari Hospitality, Surat.

So What Is Vegan Food?

We are all familiar with vegetarian food and lifestyle. In addition to abstaining from direct animal meat and eggs, if you also prohibit the consumption of dairy and dairy-related products, you are vegan.Veganism is a culture that prohibits the use of animal and animal-related products like eggs, milk, honey, cheese, soaps and everything else derived out of them.This culture was started to promote a more humane and caring world for ethical reasons. To make vegan food, we convert dairy and dairy-related products like cheese and cream to vegan variants such as tofu and coconut milk.”Vegan food is just not a diet plan which you can follow; it is a way of life.”Some of the most common substitutions one can find in vegan cooking are:
  • Tofu in place of paneer.
  • Soya milk, rice milk or almond milk in place of dairy milk.
  • Soy-based, oats-based cream or coconut milk replacing dairy cream.
  • Vegetable oils, cocoa butter or margarine in place of butter.
  • Vegan mayonnaise to replace the egg variant.
  • Using fresh fruits, brown sugar and jaggery in place of regular refined sugar.
”There is a notion that vegan food is not tasty. However, this is not true and one can make tasty food by using vegan substitutes as well.”

Nutrition Level and Body

It is not true that eating vegan food depletes your body of some valuable and essential nutrition. You can get all the nutrients you require on a daily basis through vegan food without having to take a lot of supplements.The main thing one must keep in mind while consuming vegan food is ‘variety’.  You have to eat a varied and diverse diet in order to get all the nutrients.While there are many vegan options for the necessary protein requirement in your diet, you would have to understand how to get certain vitamins and minerals from plant and plant food.You would find very less saturated fat and cholesterol in a vegan diet which makes it apt for patients with heart ailments and cancer. You need to know the right amount of calories you must consume in order to get the right amount of required nutrition in your everyday diet.Talking to a dietician who specialises in vegan cooking will help you understand the health implications of following a vegan diet and understanding if you would require any additional supplements to fulfil your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.In order to cook a wholesome and nutritious vegan meal, you must have an understanding of vegan cooking methods. Superheated oil, too much oil or extended cooking can deplete your food with the necessary vitamins.”The trick to healthy cooking is in replacing the right ingredient in a dish with its healthy vegan substitute without affecting its taste to a great extent.”Let’s take a look at the nutrient sources in Vegan Food
  • Vitamin D from natural sunlight.
  • Calcium from tofu, kale, almonds, okra and broccoli.
  • Zinc from legumes, grains and nuts.
  • Iron from dried beans, soybeans and leafy vegetables.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, flaxseed oil, canola oil and tofu.
  • Proteins from peanut, whole grains, nuts and legumes.
  • Vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables.
However, you need a B12 supplement as the vegan version of B12 is not easily absorbable by the human body. Talk to your medical practitioner or your dietician to know your options.

Conclusion- You Become What You Eat

Veganism is definitely a healthier diet plan and can help to avoid or manage a lot of diseases and health conditions. You would need some patience and a bit of experimentation to truly enjoy vegan food and make it interesting and delectable but it is definitely worth the efforts and time.Also Read: Pegan Diet: A Comprehensive Guide on Its Advantages and ChallengesDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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