| Veganism is a somewhat foreign idea to many | | | | recipes to make vegan burritos, pad Thai, sushi |
| Americans. For generations, animal products have | | | | rolls, and stir-fry. |
| been the stuff of Americana: families have | | | | Keep vegan snacks on hand at home, in the |
| started their mornings with scrambled eggs, | | | | office, and in the car. With cashews, fruit salad, |
| discussed their days over steak, and enjoyed ice | | | | and dark chocolate within reach, sticking to a |
| cream desserts before bedtime. At the same | | | | vegan diet can be remarkably easy. |
| time though, our waistlines have ballooned and our | | | | How's the Food? |
| arteries have become clogged. Veganism offers a | | | | Cultures around the world have been making |
| healthy alternative. Try it for awhile, or try it for | | | | delicious vegan foods for millennia: chocolate, |
| good. Either way, you'll reap great benefits: | | | | hummus, fried okra, samosas, etc. Whereas |
| vegans are rewarded with slimmer figures, | | | | traditional American foods tend to rely on animal |
| cleaner-running engines, and enhanced energy. | | | | fats and salt for flavoring, vegan foods make the |
| What is veganism? | | | | most of nut oils and heady spices such as |
| The term "veganism" was coined just a few | | | | cayenne, ginger, garlic, and oregano. |
| decades ago, and it's derived from the word | | | | What's more, modern food companies have |
| "vegetarianism." Basically, vegetarians do not eat | | | | excelled at developing meat alternatives. Like |
| animals, but they will eat animal products such as | | | | bacon? A number of "fake bacon" products are |
| cheese and eggs. Vegans exclude all animal | | | | perfectly salty and crispy, and they taste... piggy. |
| products from their diets. Veganism involves | | | | Vegans also have delicious dessert options. Vegan |
| avoiding milk and eggs as well as honey, gelatin, | | | | apple crumble is divine - especially when topped |
| and animal-based food additives. (A common red | | | | with a coconut-milk version of ice cream. |
| food dye, for instance, is made from beetles!) | | | | People also notice that once they become vegan, |
| Is Veganism Difficult? | | | | they require less stimulation to enjoy flavoring. For |
| With animal products being used in everything | | | | instance, they are satisfied with a lower |
| from tortilla chips to candy coatings, some people | | | | concentration of sugar in their desserts. That's |
| imagine it would be difficult to adhere to a vegan | | | | because their systems have become cleaner over |
| diet. Depending on where a person lives, this could | | | | time and are more sensitive to fluctuations. |
| be true! The key is to place oneself in healthy | | | | Is it Safe? |
| environments: | | | | Balanced vegan diets are so safe than in the |
| It's much easier to find nutritious, tasty vegan | | | | Netherlands, vegans actually have discounted |
| food at a health food store than at a traditional | | | | health insurance fees. Of course, it's not wise to |
| chain grocer. Smaller, independent groceries often | | | | load up on vegan chocolate chip cookies and |
| have vegan and vegetarian hot food bars and | | | | forget about nutrition. With the proper medical |
| refrigerated meals for people on-the-go. | | | | guidance, you can quickly and safely shed pounds |
| When you're choosing a restaurant, | | | | by omitting animal products from your diet. |
| remember that certain cuisines are more easily | | | | Animals will thank you, and your body will, too! |
| made vegan. For example, it's easy to adapt | | | | |