Now in its 77th year, November is World Vegan Month is a month to recognise and celebrate plant-based living. Whether you’ve been wanting to be plant-powered for a while, but never found the time, or you’re just vegan-curious, now’s your time to explore veganism.
Why you might consider trying veganism
Every year more and more people are making the decision to go vegan. There are a range of ways that veganism can improve our lives, from health benefits to positive environmental impacts.
For the animals
Avoiding animal products is one of the most obvious ways you can take a stand against animal cruelty and animal exploitation everywhere.
Preventing the exploitation of animals is not the only reason for becoming vegan, but for many it remains the key factor in their decision to go vegan and stay vegan.
For your physical health
Going vegan is a great opportunity to learn more about nutrition and cooking, and improve your diet. Getting your nutrients from plant foods allows more room in your diet for health-promoting options like whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables, which are packed full of beneficial fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Well-planned vegan diets follow healthy eating guidelines, and contain all the nutrients that our bodies need. Some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
For your mental health
A different study found that vegetarians typically experience more positive moods than meat-eaters.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) highlights a study on its website that looks at the eating habits and moods of 3,486 people over a five-year period. The study found that participants who ate whole, plant foods reported fewer symptoms of depression.
For the environment
From recycling household waste to cycling to work, we’re all aware of ways to live a greener life. One of the most effective things an individual can do to lower their carbon footprint is to avoid animal products.
Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73 per cent.
If everyone stopped eating these foods, they found that global farmland use could be reduced by 75 per cent, an area equivalent to the size of the US, China, Australia and the EU combined.
Not only would this result in a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions, it would also free up wild land lost to agriculture, one of the primary causes for mass wildlife extinction.
For people
Just like veganism is the sustainable option when it comes to looking after our planet, plant-based living is also a more sustainable way of feeding your family.
A plant-based diet requires only one third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. With rising global food and water insecurity due to a myriad of environmental and socio-economic problems, there’s never been a better time to adopt a more sustainable way of living.
Vegan meals from Hey Fresto!
Eating a vegan diet doesn’t have to be hard work. At Hey Fresto! we offer a range of frozen vegan meals to enjoy in just a few minutes without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen.
Click here to take a look at our range of vegan and vegetarian meals.