Why You Should Go Vegan This Summer

Switching to a vegan diet can be a major lifestyle change, especially if you’re used to consuming animal products on a regular basis. However, if you’ve been thinking about going vegan, this summer could be the best time to do so. Keep reading to find out why you should consider going vegan this summer to benefit your mind, body, and the environment…

There Are A Variety Of Health & Non-Health Benefits to Going Vegan

The first (and widely regarded as the most important) benefit to going vegan is that it also has much less of an impact on the environment than eating a meat-based diet. Cultivating massive amounts of livestock for food massively contributes to our global greenhouse gases every year. Not only that, but we put our bodies at risk every time we pick up a fork by consuming meat that has been treating with hormones and antibiotics. That’s why we’re seeing so many meat-eaters switch to more sustainable options like organic and grass-fed meats. By switching to a vegan diet, you’ll likely consume much more fresh produce. That can increase your intake of antioxidants, which are great for fighting free radical damage. And those nutrient-rich foods are going to be ideal in promoting a healthy gut thanks to them aiding in reducing inflammation.

Many Veggies & Fruits Are in Season

Another one of the reasons why you should consider going vegan this summer is because the meal options are going to taste great. Why? There are so many delicious veggies and fruits that are in season during the summer. And since you’re cutting out your consumption of animal products, you’ll want to supplement that with vegetables and fruits that are high in the right nutrients to make up for any you’re likely to miss out on. When heading to the grocery store or your local farmer’s market, there are a variety of veggies you can stock up on. Great options to pick up and start incorporating into your meals include:

• Carrots: You can start snacking on carrots or adding them to a homemade soup to soak up their benefits. They’re rich in antioxidants like beta carotene, have been shown to decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke, and they’re also great for promoting good oral health. Carrots can also reduce your risk of developing cataracts and macular-degeneration later in life, as well as other age-related eye issues.
• Zucchini: This summer, swap out your usual wheat pasta for zucchini noodles. They’re low in calories, but they’re also anti-inflammatory. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods on a regular basis is essential for improving digestion and repairing leaky gut issues.
• Bell Peppers: For good mental health, bell peppers are a great option because they contain vitamin B6. This will increase your body’s levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are known mood and energy boosters. If you’re low in vitamin B6, you risk developing a variety of mental disorders.

Since fruits are the highest quality during the summer months, you’ll want to take advantage and enjoy them before fall rolls back around! Not only that, but these fruits contain a variety of benefits, including:

• Strawberries: For a high source of antioxidants, strawberries are great because they contain flavanols, quercetrin, uteolin, and gallic acid.
• Tomatoes: Besides being a flavorful addition to any salad, according to one study tomatoes may help prevent cancer.
• Blueberries: These little berries not only taste good but they also benefit heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, and even mental health.

Don’t want to only munch on fruit and veggies this summer? Not a problem! There are a variety of different vegan meal delivery options out there too that help introduce you to a plant-based lifestyle in an easy-to-follow way.

It Can Help You Shed the Extra Pounds

Let’s face it, when summer rolls around, many of us are concerned about our physical appearance. If you’re planning to hit the beach, you obviously want to feel confident when you do. And for many people, that leaves them wanting to shed a few pounds before it warms up. As it turns out, going vegan can possibly help you ditch the extra weight you’ve been wanting to get rid of. The best part is that you don’t have to restrict your caloric intake to see results either. A study showed that people follow a vegan or vegetarian diet were able to see greater weight loss than those who were pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or omnivorous. Although the exact reasoning why is unknown, it’s most likely due to improvements in the macronutrient content of the foods they were consuming on a plant-based diet.

Cold Veggies & Fruits Are Great for Hot Days

Last but certainly not least, cold veggies and fruits make for the perfect treat during those hot summer days. When you need to cool off, snacking on a bowl of chilled fruit not only feels refreshing, but it tastes great as well. Plus, you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying it afterwards. Not only that, but these vegetables and fruits are also packed with nutrients and vitamins to keep your body functioning properly in the heat. Plus, they’re great for hydrating your body so you can feel your best all summer long.