Vegan vs. Raw: Which Diet is Better For You?
If you are ready to make important changes to your lifestyle in order to gain better physical and mental health and wellness overall, your diet should be one of the first aspects of your lifestyle that you should begin to assess and make changes to. Your diet is responsible for so many aspects of your entire body's well-being, from the nutrition that you are (or aren't) getting from food sources, to the amount of food you eat, to how often you eat throughout the day. All of these little factors are so important when it comes to figuring out how your diet is impacting your general health and wellness.
Many people who are ready to start cleaning up their eating habits find that transitioning into a healthy diet is a great way to reach their health goals. There are two fad diets in particular that are being talked about more and more lately: veganism and the raw diet. If you are ready to radically change your diet for the better, yet don't quite know where or how to get started, read on to learn about some of the benefits and drawbacks to these two significant dietary plans. I came across an article by Breaking Muscle that does a great job explaining the similarities and differences between these two diets; here is what I learned.
When it comes to veganism, it is important to remember that it is truly a full lifestyle change, as opposed to just a dietary one. The essential aspect about living as a vegan to remember is that vegans do not consume or use any animal product or byproduct. When it comes to your diet, this means avoiding everything from eggs and milk to meats. Vegans subsist mainly on legumes, whole grains, and plant-based proteins. Vegans also avoid using any products that are animal byproducts, such as leather clothing (jackets, shoes, belts), as well as products that have been tested on animals.
The raw diet is even more strict than the vegan one. The basic rule of a raw diet is that no food can be heated above 118 degrees. Essentially, this diet eliminates the use of a stove, microwave, and oven. This diet ensures that you are getting the most vitamins,minerals, and nutrients from your foods, since they are not being processed in any way. However, this diet makes dining out very difficult, and preparation for foods that are juiced or dried can be tedious.
If you are trying to choose between the two, it really all comes down to your personal beliefs and taste preferences. Both dietary options will require discipline and dedication.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Tony Webster