It isn’t a new phenomenon for people to go vegan after watching Animal Movies. However, recently, due to the #MeToo campaign and increased public awareness regarding animal rights, more and more people are going vegan as a way to cut down on their waistlines.
In 2018, there were 500 million global online searches for “vegan recipes” and the trend is projected to reach 1.5 billion searches in 2022. It’s no secret that the vegetarian diet can contribute to weight loss, but does veganism guarantee weight loss?
Signs That You’re Not Vegan But Could Be Tempted By Vegan Foods
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re not vegan and are at least thinking about giving it a try. So, let me give you some pointers on how to tell if you’re really vegan or just thinking about going vegan.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can’t tell if you’re vegan or not just by looking at the food you eat. For the most part, vegan food is delicious and looks very similar to regular food, but there are a few key differences that you need to keep in mind.
The Dollar Menu At McDonald’s
One of the first things that will pop up when you think about veganism is the McDonald’s dollar menu. If you’re not familiar, the dollar menu at McDonald’s is cheaper than the regular menu (often by a large margin) and has a wider variety of foods as well.
Since these items are already relatively cheap, many people assume that they must be good for you and don’t question the validity of the deals. For example, a Big Mac meal only costs 99¢ at McDonald’s vs. $1.29 at regular fast food restaurants.
The problem is that even though these items are marked down, they’re often high in calorie and carbohydrate content. A Big Mac has about 500 calories and 33 grams of carbohydrates and a Chicken McNugget has about 390 calories and 24 grams of carbohydrates.
Healthy Eating Starts At The Spas
If you think that going vegan will help you to lose weight, then it’s a good idea to try going vegan at a spa. Since eating healthy is important to keep in mind while on vacation, it’s the perfect way to start your day and continue eating healthy all day long. Most large chain spas offer a vegan menu and even some small independent spas might have some vegan options available.
By sticking to the vegan menu, you will automatically be eating healthier food and, in the process, losing weight. So, if you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to get in shape or just want to try a new diet, consider a vegan spa holiday.
Gluten Free
Another important difference between vegan and regular food is that gluten free food is often marked with a red symbol to indicate it is not meant to be taken by those with gluten allergies or sensitivities. This is one thing that you need to keep in mind if you’re avoiding gluten in order to lose weight.
If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, then it’s obvious that you can’t take food products that contain gluten and there is no point in pretending that you can eat gluten-containing foods while on a gluten free diet. You will simply be sabotaging your health in the process.
There are many delicious vegan gluten free food products out there, but it takes some extra work to find them. So, if you need an easy way to get gluten free food without having to search for it or prepare it yourself, then look for stores or restaurants that offer a gluten free vegan menu.
Organic
Since organic food is often cheaper than regular food and is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, it is considered to be healthier. Of course, there are many fake and overly-marketed organic foods out there, but if you’re looking for healthy food options that don’t break the bank, then go for organic.
Even though it’s usually cheaper to buy organic foods, they are more expensive to prepare. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to lose weight without harming the environment, then consider purchasing organic vegan foods.
Soy-Free
Soybeans aren’t actually a food product, but they are often found in desserts, dressings and other types of sauces, as well as meat and dairy substitutes. Since soy is a common source of protein for vegans and most people with soy allergies or sensitivities, being vegan prevents them from eating these products. So, if you want to avoid eating foods with soy, then you need to avoid vegan food as well.
Most major food manufacturers have started to incorporate soy-free options into their products, so if you have a soy allergy or sensitivity, then you have no excuse not to try these food products. Even though they might not be on the menu, you can bet that they will be prepared specially for you.
No Dairy
Another difference between vegan and regular food is that dairy is often avoided by vegans. This is primarily because of the widely-held belief that dairy cows aren’t raised well and are often treated cruelly. Even though this might not be true (especially in modern day farm settings), there are many dairy products out there that are absolutely delicious and most people wouldn’t know the difference.
However, since dairy is often a major source of protein and calcium for people, it would be smart to try and incorporate more dairy into your diet. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to get your daily calcium and protein needs met without the need to keep hunting down dairy products, then consider trying a vegan diet.
Nutrition Facts
If you want to be sure that you’re getting the nutrition facts for an entree, then look for restaurants that post these facts or check the nutrition facts online before ordering.
Keep in mind that these numbers can vary widely based on the brand and type of food you order, so it’s important to look at the nutrition facts for each individual item in your order. For example, a nutrition facts label for a Big Mac may not be the same as a nutrition facts label for a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
No Meat
Finally, if you’re looking for a way to cut down on your food costs and you don’t want to go without meat, then consider trying a vegan diet. Since eating lots of fruits and vegetables can contribute to weight loss, it might be cheaper for you to go vegan instead of adding more meat to your diet. Especially if you’re on a tight budget, it’s wiser to choose vegan food options instead of regular food options.
If you suspect that going vegan might help you to lose weight, then it’s probably a good idea to give it a try. Just make sure that you’re not sacrificing your health in the process.