As Americans, we are bombarded with unhealthy food options that line our streets and fill the shelves of the grocery stores. Time is an extremely valuable commodity and when it comes to spending it, we often sacrifice healthy choices for convenience. Frozen meals, greasy fast food burgers and highly processed snacks are the foundation for an unhealthy lifestyle. Eating healthily can be a challenge, but there are far more benefits than negatives that make it worth it, especially compared to the modern diet.
Over the last few decades, plant-based diets have become very popular for a variety of reasons. Some people have to eat plant-based food to help with their health conditions and some choose it for ethical reasons. Regardless of the motivation, plant-based diet pros and cons should always be considered prior to making a decision.
There are three main plant-based diets and they are vegetarian, vegan and whole food plant-based (WFPB). Each one has the same foundation, but the details are slightly different. Here are the differences between them:
Vegan diet
A vegan diet is free of all animal products, which includes dairy, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs and sometimes honey. This is the strictest of the plant-based diets.
Vegetarian diet
Vegetarians exclude meat, poultry, and seafood from their diets but may retain eggs, dairy, and other animal products.
Whole food, plant-based diet
WFPB focuses more on whole and minimally processed foods and limit (or avoid) animal products in their diet but depends on personal preferences.
Pros of Plant-based Diet
There are several pros and cons of going vegan and it’s important to understand them and make sure they meet your personal and health needs. Diets that are void of animal products help with the following:
- High levels of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants
- Improvement of cardiovascular health
- Lower LDL and total cholesterol levels- plant-based diets are low in saturated fats and are cholesterol-free
- Reduced risk of developing type II diabetes and heart disease (a disadvantage of eating meat)
- Improved glycemic control
- Better weight management and lower BMI (body mass index)
- Reduced risk and protection against certain types of cancers
- Improved brain function
- Helps in the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s and dementia
Cons of Plant-based Diets
Now, there are some downsides to a plant-based diet lifestyle. While not many are very serious concerns, they still need to be considered.
- Protein requirements can be tough to meet without consuming meats, poultry, and seafood.
- Iron, calcium and B12 nutrient levels may be difficult to maintain and these deficiencies are common in individuals adhering to a plant-based diet.
- Meal planning and preparation are essential to staying on track.
- Changing diets can cause weird, temporary side effect symptoms, e.g. a cold.
DeliverLean is Here to Help
If you’ve been contemplating making the switch to a plant-based diet but haven’t, now you can forget any hesitations you may have. DeliverLean is your solution to changing your diet with ease. We provide our customers with freshly-crafted, delicious meals delivered right to your door.
We have several diet options to choose from, including vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo and classic. With over 150 weekly meal options, you’ll never worry about food boredom again. Staying on track with a healthy eating plan has never been easier. Just choose your diet type, the number of meals per day and the day you want them to show up on your front doorstep.
While there are many healthy diet choices out there, the healthiest one for you is going to be the one that you follow and stick with.
Check out DeliverLean menu options and set up your deliveries today!
