by Corinne Ledling: Going vegan might seem like the trendy thing to do, but this is a trend with merit…

Every day, more and more people are making the choice to change their life. With growing concern for the planet, the drive for a healthier lifestyle, and a general desire for compassion sitting on their side, vegans are often quick to preach the praises of what they practice.

With so many plant based alternatives to animal products easily accessible in the average grocery store, switching to a vegan lifestyle is easier than it has ever been in the past. If you’ve ever been curious about changing your diet, now is as good a time as any to research and make decisions that could positively impact your life, as well as the rest of the planet.

The Pros of Veganism

• Since the meat industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gasses, removing animal products from your life has positive repercussions for the planet.
• If you are an ethically compassionate person, you won’t experience cognitive dissonance about the dietary decisions that you make. Veganism doesn’t harm living things.
• Since a strictly vegan diet limits options for things like fast food or processed food, it’s easier to eat healthy. Losing extra weight or maintaining a healthy weight becomes simplified.
• Vegan diets may reduce the potential for certain diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, stroke, heart disease, and even osteoporosis. Some anecdotal evidence from studies even suggests that a vegan diet may reduce the potential for certain cancers.
• Vegans often generate less plastic waste. Since options for packaged or prepared foods are limited, most vegans use raw and natural ingredients that come bare, or in minimal packaging. Vegans tend to put less in landfills than people who eat meat or dairy.

The Cons of Veganism

• Certain nutrients are harder to obtain through a vegan diet. Essential nutrients like B12 are naturally found in animal products, so people adhering to a strict vegan diet may need to take supplements for nutrients they might be missing.
• Most vegan meals need to be prepared from scratch. This is more time consuming than purchasing pre-prepared meals or components to use while cooking. Meal prep is a little more complicated, and vegan convenience food is somewhat difficult to find.
• Vegans may need to eat a little more than people who eat meat. Plant based protein is relatively easy to find, but vegans need to eat larger quantities of that plant based protein in order to meet their daily values.
• Some people find vegan diets to be rather costly, depending on the things they prefer to eat. Substitutes for meat and dairy products designed to taste like the real thing can be slightly more expensive than actual meat or cheese.

Making The Choice That’s Right For You

When it comes down to it, you need to consider the way you want to live your life. While there are some drawbacks to becoming a vegan, many vegans find that those drawbacks pale in comparison to the sense of satisfaction they feel about their choice.

Veganism may take some getting used to, and virtually no one perfectly adapts overnight. If you’re considering a vegan diet, start by implementing small steps until you’ve made all of the necessary changes. Don’t let a few setbacks stop you from doing what you feel is right.

Corinne Ledling is a businesswoman who also cooks in her free time. She’s a Content Manager at Bizstats.co.uk and loves to share tips and tricks about work and personal life.