A strong belief in the nutritional benefits of a raw plant-based diet, as well as an abiding concern for the health and welfare of all sentient beings, are often motivating factors when it comes to choosing a vegan lifestyle. Deven Patel explains what it means to be a vegan, exploring some of the reasons why veganism is better for the human body and the planet.

What is a Vegan?

Vegans do not consume or utilize any animal products, which include foods such as dairy, eggs, and honey. Vegans also do not wear/use wool and leather products since these also come from animals. Vegans fully support themselves with non-animal products.

Energy is needed for life to exist. Energy can often be classified as either potential or kinetic. Potential energy is in essence, stored energy whereas kinetic energy is energy at work. One should realize that the energy stored and contained in cooked foods is significantly lower than that of raw foods. Today, people are more apt to focus on the composition of their meals/foods – i.e. Carbohydrate content, protein content and fat content contained within their meals. People, instead, should probably be focusing on the energy levels and vibrational levels of their food, antioxidant properties of their food, and astringent properties of their food.  By way of example, fresh and raw fruits have 8000 to 10,000 angstroms (electromagnetic energy). Milk and cheese have 1800 to 2000 angstroms whereas cooked meats have 0 angstroms. Cancer patients typically have 4875 angstroms or less. It is important to realize, homosapiens need to have 6000 to 7000 angstroms of systemic energy to be healthy. The lower the energy of the food you consume, the lower your systolic energy becomes. To be vibrant and healthy, one needs to consume energetic foods.

Effect on the Body

Veganism has many documented health benefits. Vegans have lower cholesterol and healthier hearts than people who eat animal products. Vegans are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, lessening the chance of developing such serious conditions as high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes.

Vegans like Deven Patel also find that their athletic performance and recovery is enhanced through their lifestyle. Vegans can stay in shape easily since they are not weighing their bodies down with excess fat, cholesterol and inflammation. Many professional athletes are making the switch to a plant-based diet and are reaping the benefits of increased performance and an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Effect on Animals

While most people understand that vegans do not eat meat because they feel that killing animals for food is wrong, many vegans consider farming to be a form of animal abuse. Even when animals are giving only milk, meat, and eggs, vegans believe that they are being exploited. Farm animals often live in substandard conditions, especially poultry and pigs in factory farming situations.

Veganism and the Environment

Eating vegan foods also has a benefit for the environment as a whole. Pound for pound, animal-based foods have a much greater negative impact on the planet than vegan foods. Water use, land use, and agricultural pollution are all greater in the production of animal products.

Possible Problems

When people express interest in a vegan lifestyle, they may need to be aware that non-vegans may provide health advice to them. Some meat-eaters are trying to be helpful when they advise against eating a vegan diet, but others are judgmental of choices they don’t understand.

Vegans are currently dealing with society’s prejudice and the well-meaning criticism that comes from friends and family members who don’t believe they have an adequate diet. Reassuring older family members that vegans get enough protein may be enough.

Vegans can educate their family members and by preparing meals that the entire family will enjoy. Their lifestyle can be a good example for younger people who want to make a difference in the world.

Try a Vegan Lifestyle

If you are concerned about your health and animal welfare, Deven Patel encourages you to try eating a raw plant-based meal at least a few times a week. You may find that you feel better and healthier soon after. You can rest assured that you are helping to combat the problems caused by factory farming.

When you change to a vegan diet, you can feel good about benefiting your health, your impact on the environment and your part in supporting animal rights.