What is it about “going vegan” that has athletes, celebrities, and millions of others around the world raving about their animal-product-free lifestyle? Olympic athlete Carl Lewis has been quoted saying, “My best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet.” Bob Harper, physical trainer who appears in The Biggest Loser television show, said, “My cholesterol dropped over 100 points within a month . . . . I feel like there is a fountain of youth attached to living a vegan lifestyle.” The benefits of living a vegan lifestyle are many, and the motivations for switching to a vegan diet are as numerous as these benefits.
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use and consumption of animal products, including meat, eggs, dairy, and other products derived from animal sources. For some, becoming a vegan is a political decision. Every year in the United States alone, more than 20 billion animals are slaughtered by the meat industry. Outrage over the inhumane treatment of livestock has pushed millions of people to make the switch to a meat-free lifestyle. For others, the switch is out of concern for their health. Meat-free diets have been proven to help prevent a number of serious diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. A vegan lifestyle may also help you achieve a healthy body weight; improved energy levels; and a longer, more fulfilling life. Other reasons for switching to a vegan diet include concern for the environment, religious reasons, or a combination of any or all of these.
If you are curious about the vegan lifestyle and the benefits it provides, then this is the right book for you. Here you will find in-depth reviews of common motivations for going vegan and information regarding the difference between vegans and vegetarians. You will also find evidence-supported explanations of the many health benefits, as well as 150 delicious vegan recipes that will help you start and maintain your new vegan lifestyle.