Climate change is one of the greatest threats to our planet and humankind. The industrialization of literally everything, pandemics, increasing natural disasters, and extreme weather are all consequences of our lack of care and respect for Earth.
Going vegan can seem like an overwhelming life change to make (we get it, cheese is incredible) but there are so many incredible benefits to removing animal products from your life, that even making small changes now and then make a big difference.
Vegan recipes – both food and drink – are delicious and exciting. You can still enjoy your favorites without harming animals or the planet.
Here are some amazing reasons why going vegan is the best decision you’ll ever make.
Helps save animals and the planet
This is the most obvious benefit, and often the motive behind making this life change. According to PETA, every vegan saves approximately 200 animals each year! That is an incredible impact. The industrialization of meat production is extremely wasteful; it causes tremendous levels of pollution and is one of the biggest contributors to climate change.
If you’re not ready to take the plunge, build up to it with small changes. Try having a meat-free Monday once a week, or going vegetarian to see how easy it can truly be. With so many meat substitutes out there, you can still enjoy your burger, bacon sandwich, or sausage roll. You won’t be missing out and you’ll be making a genuine difference to the health of our planet.
Veganism is good for your health
There’s a reason why vegans have a reputation for being healthy and slim! The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explains that people following a vegan diet are less likely to develop cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Being vegan is also good for your mental well-being; a study published in Nutrition Journal reported that vegetarians and vegans have more positive moods compared to meat-eaters. It’s worth a try for that reason alone!
There are lots of delicious alternatives
Earlier we mentioned the tasty alternatives to meat and dairy, so let’s explore this even more.
Is a morning coffee part of your ritual? No problem – replace the milk with almond or oat milk. Ensuring they’re fortified with vitamins is an even healthier way to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. Or try something new, like organic sweet tea from coopertea.com. With quality tea leaves and no nasty artificial ingredients, you can skip the dairy alternatives entirely and explore new drink options.
Instead of chicken, try tofu. It’s the ultimate vegan substitute and can be grilled, fried, or baked. Tofu is great to cook with because it absorbs all the flavors you cook with, as well as being high in protein.
It could save you money
There’s a misconception that being vegan is an expensive lifestyle. You can actually save money by not buying meat (which can be very expensive, especially if you try to buy organic meat that has higher welfare standards). Researchers have even looked into this and concluded that on average, vegans spend 40% less on food than meat-eaters. So even cutting down on your dairy and meat consumption could help reduce your weekly grocery bill. It’s a win-win!
