About The Ultimate Vegetarian/Vegan Guide
Are you thinking about changing your eating habits to live a healthier lifestyle?
Or, maybe you have already started transitioning but you’re stuck on how to go about it?
I’ll have you know that becoming a vegan or vegetarian is not strictly limited to just salads and fruit bowls 24/7.
I have encountered people who thought about switching over but are skeptical or aren’t educated enough on the topic.
A lot of times, people say that being a vegetarian or vegan is hard! Many people aren’t sure how they could ever give up meats, how to get proteins if you no longer eat meats or even enjoy foods the same way one would enjoy soul foods.
Guess what, vegan food can be just as good and it’s way better for the soul!
For starters, what is the difference between being vegetarian and vegan?
Most people aren’t familiar with what distinguishes a vegetarian from vegan. Let’s get you informed on both of these topics so you can chose which route to take with confidence.
Type Of Vegetarians
There are 3 types of vegetarians:
- Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
- Ovo Vegetarian
- Lacto Vegetarian
Lacto-ovo Vegetarians do not red or white meat, fish or poultry. However, lacto-ovo vegetarians do consume dairy products and egg products.
Ovo Vegetarians do not eat red or white meat, fish, poultry or dairy products. However, ovo vegetarians do consume egg products.
Lacto Vegetarians do not eat red or white meat, fish and poultry. However, lacto vegetarians do consume dairy products.
Now, you are familiar with the types of vegetarians. Lacto-ovo is the most common type of vegetarian.
On the other hand, vegans do not consume any animal products or by-products. This means that vegans don’t eat red meat, poultry, seafood, fish, honey, eggs or dairy products.
Most vegans even go as far as not using cloths made from animals. Vegans stick to a plant-based diet.
Now some of you may be thinking, “Well dang, vegans don’t eat anything!”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received comments such as “So if you’re a vegetarian now, does that mean all you eat is grass?” Haha!
Why would anyone choose a vegetarian or vegan diet?
There are many reasons why people decide to change their eating habits.
Now days more people are diagnosed with cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic health conditions and other things.
Most people are informed of how an acidic/inflammatory body causes these things from the foods we eat.
Sure, we can go to the doctor and let them prescribe us pills to temporarily make the suffering go away.
But it becomes reoccurring because we have never really dealt with the cause of our health conditions.
Some people decide to become vegetarian/vegan because they care so much about the lives of animals as well as the eco-system of this planet. They are 100% against animal cruelty and destroying Nature.
A few people may become vegetarian/vegan because they want to be more active and have more clarity in life.
Some people are religious and their traditions may restrict them from eating certain types of foods.
Also, spiritual people may decide to restrict themselves from eating “low-vibrational” foods. Low-vibrational foods (such as meats, greasy foods, GMO products, etc…) hinders them from being able to elevate their consciousness on a higher level.
Some people just want to be more healthy and are very health conscious. More foods are processed now days than they were a decade ago.
These are the most common reasons why vegetarian/vegan diets are more preferable. Your reason for transitioning to vegan or vegetarian diet could be completely different what is mentioned above.
What are the health benefits of being a vegetarian or vegan?
I totally dislike when some people hype up being vegan or vegetarian as if it’s a trend. This is NOT a trend but by all means is a LIFESTYLE!
If you want to better yourself, treat it as a priority and be committed to living a healthier lifestyle.
To be healthy takes a lot of discipline and patience to see any positive results. So you may ask how may becoming vegetarian benefits you?
- Lowers your chance of obesity
- Keeps your blood pressure low
- Easier to prevent cancer and other diseases
- Longevity of Life!
- Increases your energy
- Improves mental health
- It helps improve the eco-system
- You’ll avoid toxic chemicals
- And so much more
Changing up your eating habits can change your body for the better. The things you once thought was “normal” for human beings to experience, you will find that it isn’t. You are what you eat.
Foods play an enormous role in how our body functions. Your body can heal itself of all sickness if you treat it right…the natural way.
Don’t forget the key to a healthy life is though awareness…
How often do you observe the effects your body experience from the foods and beverages you consume?
One cannot possibly know what is going with themselves or your surroundings when they don’t pay attention to the little details. Those small details makes all the big difference in life.
What do vegetarians and vegans eat?
This particular information is what a lot of people want to know. What the heck can you eat if you stop eating meats, poultry, dairy and egg products???
Just so you know, there are more proteins in plant-based foods than there is in meat. This is a fact…
Proteins can be found in nuts, vegetables, some fruits and even products made from soy are high in proteins.
Moving on, let’s take a look at some examples of what you can eat from Dr. Sebi’s Nutritional Guide:
Tips for Beginners
Here are a few realistic tips to get you started on your transition to being vegetarian or vegan…
If you are still eating meats and want to stop but your cravings are too much to handle, start one thing at a time.
For instance, stop eating beef and pork for 2 weeks. If you slip up and got your fingers sticky over some BBQ Ribs, start your 2 week process over again. Don’t stress!
Then add something to the list each week. Cut off meats and junk foods little by little. Make these things become a daily habit for you and keep out of sight what isn’t good for you.
Practice will power when you start getting craving. Snack on some nuts or fruits instead of a bag of chips or a candy bar.
Remember, this takes discipline, a whole lot of will power and patience. This is a process that will challenge you
Work on doing more things that makes you happy. Eating healthy enhances joy and makes life more fulfilling.
Exercise more often to become more active in life. Some of you may prefer doing yoga and meditation instead. These things contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
And by all means, please do further research on your own. Use the internet, connect with other vegetarians/vegans and continue to learn more.
