THE TRUTH ABOUT VEGANISM

Is cutting out animal products really the healthiest option for you?

- JENNY ACKLAND

More people are turning to a meat-free diet. In fact, the number of vegans in Great Britain quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, The Vegan Society says.

The growing demand has seen more meat-free products in our supermarkets and fast-food companies must adapt. But while it may seem like the healthier choice, it’s not always the case. A study by Action on Salt showed some plant-based fast food options contain 30 per cent more salt, 20 per cent more sugar, and 60 per cent more fat.

We speak to two women to find out if cutting out animal-based products worked.

‘My muscles were more defined!’

Luana Ribeira, 40, is the founder of dauntlesspr.com, and lives in Anglesey with her partner, Alex, 36, and children, Seren, 13, and Electra, 11, Celyn, 10 months.

Catching sight of myself in the mirror in June 2011, I was pleasantly surprised. Where there had once been no definition in my arms, they looked slimmer and more defined. I had a flatter belly, too. The reason I was so surprised was because I hadn’t done much differently.

The only thing that had changed was that just three weeks earlier, I’d become a vegan.

I’d heard about the health benefits, but seeing the changes in my physique was an unexpected but welcome side effect.