Sweet Sweat UK & Europe
Being a vegan means not eating anything which contains animals or animal by-products. The Vegan Society defines it as:
“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude- as far as is possible and practicable- all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, other animals and the environment.”
Not all vegans live by this exact definition. In fact, people all over the world are going Vegan for many different reasons. Most perspectives share three commonalities: vegan diets can improve overall health and nutrition, veganism can reduce the environmental impact of our food systems, or veganism is a way to stand up against animal cruelty practices.
So how can we celebrate World Vegan Month? Host a vegan dinner party, share your favorite vegan recipes on social media, or challenge friends and family to take the Vegan Pledge by going vegan for 30 days! I have decided to take the Vegan Pledge myself by going vegan for 30 days. I will be updating the blog weekly on my progress and provide insights on some of my favorite recipes and my biggest obstacles. Stay tuned!
Why I decided to try Veganism
So why did I decide to go vegan for a month? I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. We learned extensively about numerous diets, the reality of our food system, and the consequences of what we put into our bodies. For this reason, many of my classmates went vegan or tried veganism during their college years. I wasn’t one of them. After learning all the facts, I completely understood why people go vegan, but ultimately I didn’t trust myself.
As a college student, your main priority is to make it through school and not break the bank! This leads to a lot of ramen and late night runs for pizza by the slice. With a vegan diet, you often have to be creative and take extra time to ensure you are getting adequate, wholesome nutrition. Knowing the consequences of nutritional deficiency, I didn’t think I had the budget, time, or discipline to be a healthy, well-rounded vegan.
Since graduating and entering the adult world, I’ve found inspiration in cooking and improving my health. Adjusting to a new routine can take a toll and I’ve been struggling with digestive issues as a result. My doctor and I have been trying to figure out what is going on, so I’ve been adjusting my dietary choices. Recently, I went on the low FODMAP diet which is a very restrictive diet intended for people who struggle with IBS. I’ve made an effort to embrace these changes in my life and make an active effort to feel better. I’ve become a meal-prep fanatic and I spend way too much time on Pinterest looking at fun recipes.
When I saw that World Vegan Month was approaching, I thought it would be a great opportunity to transition to a different dietary lifestyle and see how my body responds. Having a science background, this is an exciting opportunity for me to experiment with plant-based food and evaluate how I feel. Additionally, I care about our planet and I find the realities of our food system to be alarming. Choosing a plant-based diet can serve as a small step to help make a difference. Here is our Vegan Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burritos Recipe to help kick start your vegan journey.
Sports Research is jumping on the bandwagon!
At Sports Research, we offer a number of Vegan Certified Products in order to help vegans supplement their healthy lifestyle choices. We are a unique brand, being the first-to-market with Non-GMO Tapioca Softgel technology. This is significant for our plant-based customers wanting to avoid carageenan, bovine, porcine, sorbitol, or modified cornstarch in their dietary supplements. Sports Research possesses the only softgel on the market that passes the Non-GMO Project Verification with flying colors. One of our more prominent vegan softgel options is our Vegan D3, which is a plant-based source of Vitamin D3 derived from Lichen. Formulated with Organic coconut oil and featuring VegaDELIGHT, Vegan D3 serves as an essential micronutrient for a healthy lifestyle. To browse all of our Vegan products
Good food equals a good mood! If you’re starting Monday morning off with doughnuts and sugary beverages, you’re not going to feel as energized as the day goes on. Instead, use Monday as a way to detox or get back on track with your health goals. Maybe splurge a little more on a green smoothie or an organic meal. Make Monday a day to invest in yourself.
Congrats. You now have the tools to allow Monday to be your favorite day of the week…or at least more tolerable.
