5 Vegan Habits that Could Save Your Health

Sharon Moore June 05, 2014

Can’t give up meat? You don’t have to be a full-pledged vegan to reap the benefits of this healthy diet plan. Consider the following vegan eating habits that you can incorporate in the diet plan you are used to:

Eat fermented foods.

Vegans love the zesty flavour and taste of fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled carrots, etc. Fermenting is not new. It was used to preserve food back in those days when we still don’t have refrigerators and freezers. Adding kimchi and sauerkraut to salads, rice dishes, sandwiches, tacos and even noodle bowls can greatly boost the flavour of your food and at the same time promote your health in many ways. That’s because fermented goods are rich in probiotics – good bacteria that strengthen your immunity against disease-causing organisms.

Cook from scratch.

The more effort you do in preparing your food, the healthier it is. Reduce your consumption of processed foods and takeaways and eat more meals that are prepared from scratch, using fresh produce. For vegans, using herbs and spices are the ideal are a great way to enhance the flavour of their dishes. Marinating meat with herbs and spices can also reduce the amount of carcinogenic compounds produced when cooking them. Furthermore, when you prepare your own food, you get to control the amount of unhealthy ingredients like oil, salt and sugar, or replace them with healthier alternatives.

Get creative with your spreads.

Think your sandwich will be dry without mayo? Think again! Vegans are really creative when it comes to food preparation, especially when it comes to sandwiches. Ditch high-calorie mayo in favour of lighter, healthier and tastier options like guacamole, olive oil or hummus. Fresh pesto, mustard and balsamic vinegar are other great additions for a more flavourful and healthier sandwich.

Opt for plant-based protein.

Need more protein? Increase your intake of plant-based protein like beans, tofu, soy products, and legumes. Apart from protein, these foods are also loaded with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that promote good health.

Pile up on vegetables.

You know how important it is to eat more vegetables, particularly green produce. Vegetables are a great source of varying vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fibre, and even some protein. Aside from filling your plate with fresh produce, you can also make them into smoothies.

You need not be a vegan to get healthier. You can simply adopt some of their unique eating habits for an added health boost!