I challenged myself for the month of November to eat healthier. In the span of 21 days I eliminated refined sugar, meats and dairy in a quest to do a cleanse of my body and mind. Some benefits from doing the strict vegan diet, even after just one week, include:
Energy gains.
I could wake up easily without feeling groggy in the morning. I never yawned anymore, as I usually do midway through the day. I could run and play sports longer without huffing and puffing. My overall energy was better in every activity I participated in.
Emotional control.
I can be an extremely negative, moody person at times. With the diet implementation, I found myself arguing less and focusing more on the positive things in my life. I felt completely in control of my emotions because my body and mind were being fed healthy foods, rather than the usual calorie-high greasy concoctions I typically consumed. Any signs of depressive or negative thinking went out the door after going vegan.
Weight loss.
I lost 15 pounds in three weeks, due to the lack of fat and sugar consumed (other than from avocados and natural sugars). My abdominal area looked better, I saw a natural six-pack forming and my cravings for unhealthy food actually disappeared after one week. For anyone considering a weight loss program, I recommend going vegan to see quick results.
Sleep improvement.
I could fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning without needing midday naps. I felt well-rested as the quality of my sleeping improved.
Bowel movements.
I won’t get into the specifics, but I must say that things are smooth now!
Improved cooking quality.
I’m by no means an executive chef, but veganism forces you to cook all of your meals. I’d be mixing vegetables and beans together almost every day, and I started to enjoy how everything turned out. Eating out, once a daily occurrence, was uninteresting to me. I started to feel like the restaurant meals paled in comparison to anything I could cook.
Less spending.
Instead of eating out and spending on tips, you’re forced to purchase and cook your own food. Although you’re spending more on quality foods, your overall spending decreases as you eat out less. I used to spend $500 per month on food. Going vegan, I was able to cut my spending in half.
Less waste.
Less packaged, processed foods and more of the compostable kind. I was conscious of consuming all of my food as I’d have about a week before the produce would go rotten.
Summary.
If you’re considering the vegan diet, I think it’s worthwhile to give it a try, if only for a week. There are some shortcomings to the diet, such as the lack of vitamin B12, which comes from animal products. You can use supplements (I used almond milk), but you’re better off to include animal protein in your diet. I’ve talked with nutritionists and the consensus is that there are more benefits to be had from sticking to the four food groups. Refined sugar, at the very least, can be removed entirely from your diet to reap the same benefits as mentioned above. Would I go vegan again? Yes, absolutely, it’ll do wonders for your body and mind. If you have any questions about veganism, reach out anytime, I’d love to chat with you about it!