Vegan Life

There are different myths surrounding this diet, but not all of them are true. Here we explain what it is about, as well as its virtues and flaws. Let's start by defining what being vegan means. Initially, it was a stance against the use of animal products, not so much for dietary reasons but for ethical ones. Its founders found the suffering of animals and the exploitation of their goods inhumane. This is why, unlike vegetarians who allow themselves to consume milk, eggs, and other animal derivatives, vegans refuse to consume any animal or products derived from them. The most orthodox vegans also do not purchase any clothing or utensils related to animal processes. Apart from ethical issues, a vegan diet does present some benefits for humans. Its zero consumption of red meat helps prevent cardiovascular diseases such as gout or the risk of heart attacks. On the other hand, the lack of animal fats helps maintain stable cholesterol levels. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in America issued a report in 2009 stating that both vegetarian and its strict version, vegan diets, are healthy for all ages, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, and adolescence. This means that they do not cause any harm to the body, but the reality is that some deficiencies can appear. This type of diet must be well-planned since it can present deficiencies in iron, calcium, and vitamins D and B12. The most dangerous is the latter; B12 is found in red meat and is essential for neuronal function, so those who decide to adopt a vegan diet must take it as a dietary supplement. Another issue is sugar, which they can consume perfectly, but not natural substitutes like honey, so their glucose levels can rise if they are not careful. Daily life for vegans is basically based on vegetables, greens, and grains. Their main source of protein comes from mushrooms, beans, or their derivatives like soy. Nuts and seasonal fruits are also a fundamental part of their diet as they provide the necessary fats and vitamins for body functioning. Being vegan requires caution with what you consume since there are myths surrounding this trend; most people believe that all vegan food is healthy, but this is not the case. Some processed foods like veggie burgers, cheese, or veggie sausages are not so good for health, as they have high sodium and fat content. Like with everything else, excesses are never good, and although this diet is recommended for those who align with vegan ideology, you must be careful with your body since changing your diet radically will cause your body to start changing from the very first moment. Vegan Recipes Stir-Fried Vegetables Recipe Ingredients: - 1/2 sliced onion - 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic - 3 centimeters of peeled and finely chopped ginger - 40 milliliters of sesame oil - 50 milliliters of naturally fermented soy sauce - 1 red bell pepper cut into strips - 20 mushrooms quartered - 1/4 kilo of trimmed green beans cut diagonally - 200 grams of broccoli cut into small florets - 200 grams of cauliflower cut into small florets - 1 peeled carrot cut into half-moons - 200 grams of tofu cut into cubes - extra soy sauce for marinating the tofu - soybean sprouts - sesame seeds to taste for garnish Find the procedure for this recipe by clicking here.     Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Macadamia Nuts Recipe Ingredients: - 3/4 kilo of Brussels sprouts - 1/4 cup of olive oil - 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt - 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper - 2 tablespoons of maple syrup - 1/2 cup of toasted macadamia nuts Click here to find the steps to prepare this recipe.   Stuffed Vegetarian Peppers Recipe Ingredients: - 6 peppers - 2 tablespoons of olive oil - 1 large chopped onion - 4 chopped green onions - 1 chopped garlic clove - 1/4 cup of peas - 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley - 2 tablespoons of chopped mint - 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon - 2 lemon juice - 2 tablespoons of tomato puree - 1 can of 14 oz diced tomatoes - 1 small chopped chayote If you want to see the preparation process for this recipe click here.   To see the vegan section of Kiwilimon click here.   What do you think of a vegan diet?