Why do people go vegan?
People choose to go vegan for a huge variety of reasons. Many people choose veganism because they care about animals and can’t say in good conscious “I love animals” while continuing to eat products from their muscles, eggs, and breastmilk. Others have learned about the destructive effects of factory farming on the global environment and would rather eat a plant based diet that contributes less pollution and contamination to water, air, and soil. Others care less about these topics and care only about the fact that all of the best longitudinal studies on health suggest that plant based eating is the optimum diet of humans.
Why is a plant based vegan diet the best diet for weight loss?
Sure, you could eat 1500 calories worth of expensive ribeye steak to lose weight because some guy on the internet told you to, but the best weight loss and disease prevention research studies ever conducted in human history suggest that a diet that consists of whole plant foods include whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds is the healthiest diet for longevity. Studies suggest that eating this way is the best way to control your weight, prevent cancer/diabetes/heart disease/neurological disease, and fight inflammatory conditions that lower our quality of life. Additionally, plant foods are extremely filling when done right, so they will help you be satisfied while losing weight.
I thought keto/low-carb/Atkins/carnivore diet were the best options for weight loss?
It is true that limiting carbohydrate consumption while result in weight loss, but there are several downsides to this way of eating. The weight returns when you start to eat carbs again, so you better say goodbye to bread, granola bars, rice, potatoes, pasta, cookies, fruit, cereal forever. And when you say goodbye to healthy carbs like whole grains, potatoes, and fruit; you are missing out on important vitamins and minerals that fight disease and contribute to your health and wellness now! There is no research to suggest the carnivore diet is healthy, let alone effective. And there will never be any research to suggest that because any population of people on the planet that has even eaten mostly animal products has half the life expectancy of even those eating the Standard American Diet- no thanks!
Should I try vegan keto?
You could, and I did, but I quickly developed elevated liver enzymes from eating so much fat (which resolved immediately after I went back to a whole food plant based diet). Elevated liver enzymes indicate that liver cells are dying. This condition is associated with the animal-based keto diet, but I was shocked to find out the the vegan keto diet does the same thing, although it is probably superior. You may have heard of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease- something that effects a large percentage of overweight and obese people. This condition is remedied by lowering our dietary fat intake. Our liver is simply not designed to digest such a high-fat diet on a daily basis. Stick with healthy whole grains, legumes, plant starches, fruits, and veggies to nourish our bodies and watch your blood work improve!
What is the difference between WFPB/whole food plant based and being a vegan?
Once upon a time being a vegan meant you ate a lot of hummus and tabbouleh and whole wheat sandwiches with veggies and sprouts- ahhh the good ol’ days. Now being a vegan means you’ve gotta try the latest Nashville Hot Chick’n sandwich, Taco Bell’s vegan nacho cheese sauce with the fries, and “OMG they have vegan tiramasu- sold!” Being a vegan is just as sugary and fatty as eating the Standard American Diet now-a-days. I am a food lover and of course love to try these fun new vegan things
Plant Based Kelly 