Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : November 6, 2014 4:12 PM IST
The month of November is recognized as the World Vegan Month
World Vegan Month was established to celebrate the founding of world's first vegan society. Many people around the world observe this month for various reasons ranging from ethical, health and environmental concerns.
Vegan diet is one that excludes meat, poultry, sea-food, dairy, eggs or any other product that is derived from animals. However, going vegan can be a healthy option for you. It is generally low in fat and full of fibre. Skipping animal products can help you reduce your intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, which in turn can help you boost the level good cholesterol in your body. Refraining from eating animal-derived foods also reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Vegan foods being rich in complex carbohydrates, boost metabolism and help you burn more calories. Besides, plant-based foods provide all protein, vitamins, minerals and energy that you need to live a long and healthy life.
Although you skip dairy and meat products, you can easily meet the requirements of calcium and protein from vegan sources such as soya, soya milk, lentils, chickpeas (chana), red kidney beans (rajma), sprouts, tofu, peas, almonds and walnuts. However, there may not be too many options available for you when you are eating out. But the good news is, more and more restaurants are coming out with new vegan options on their menu that will allow you to stick to your diet. With India already being a vegetarian-friendly country, it's easy for restaurants to turn customary vegetarian dishes into vegan delights. Here are some tips by nutritionist Bhuvaneshwari Gupta which will help you order food at restaurants that do not cater to vegans.
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