Plant Power

Whether You’re a Vegetarian Thinking of Taking the Next Step or New to the Plant-based Lifestyle, Here’s All You Need to Know About Staying Healthy When Going Vegan
 

- Sara Bunny

It was once the domain of greenies and hippies, but these days, going vegan is a lot cooler and less niche than it used to be. It’s trending on Instagram, it’s being discussed on mainstream media, and even the tiniest local cafés are adding vegan-friendly offerings to their menu. On a larger scale, veganism is a key part of the health and wellness zeitgeist, fitting into a new wave of consciousness around environmental and animal welfare issues, not to mention boosting sales of coconut oil and chickpeas throughout the developed world.

For many, it’s triggered a greater awareness around our food traditions and eating habits, and in a world where what’s on our plate is an increasingly hot topic, it’s safe to say that veganism is one of the fastest growing health trends of 2018. But it’s also one of the most controversial. Without some level of care and nutritional know-how, a vegan diet can potentially be dangerous to our health. Some critics have labelled it as just another fad, while others have said veganism can be a risk factor for disordered eating. News headlines have frequently incited fierce debate, and depending on how you look at it, veganism can be so shrouded in ideological complexities, it makes your head spin. For those who follow the lifestyle, there are as many reasons why a person might choose to go vegan as there are interpretations and viewpoints on the topic. Regardless of where you sit on the subject, it’s a simple fact that shunning meat is now more popular than ever. Here, we take a look at the nutritional aspects of going vegan.

VEGAN 101