Starting a Vegan Diet What Are Some Immediate Effects
There is one common question from people interested in veganism. They are curious to know how the bodies of the people with the vegan lifestyle change. This question is valid and also highly interesting, especially since following the vegan diet means restricting meals and getting nutrients from other means. To finally answer this question, this article will enumerate what people transitioning to the vegan lifestyle should observe as they progress through the journey.
How Your Body Reacts to the Vegan Diet
If this is your first time to switch meals and diet, here are the changes that you are more likely to go through:
On Week One to Three
In the first few weeks, people may substitute meat with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other alternatives. At this point, they might feel a different kind of energy boost as a result of removing meat from their daily intake.
Tip: Make life easier by preparing your menu in advance. Doing research on meals you can prepare can help you decide easier. Consider deciding a week in advance to keep the transition going. Any sort of pause or delay when deciding what to eat next could trigger other food cravings. More importantly, make sure you include snacks in your food schedule. That would help you keep the energy running.
After a Month or Two
There are two scenarios you can observe after a month or two of the transition. You could either:
- Have the most regular bowel movements ever in your life
- Feel bloated and have loose stools
Any of the two could happen due to the sudden increase in fiber in your body. Fiber can be helpful in bowel movements, but too much of it could also cause bloating, constipation, and gas. These effects are not something you should feel scared about. It is a normal consequence of the body. Expect it to adapt to these changes sooner.
In Three to Six Months
The effects observed during this timeline are mostly internal changes that you may not notice. However, these changes affect the way your body functions. Here are some of them:
- Your face might clear up from acne
- More protection against heart disease
- Reduced risk of getting diabetes or stroke
All these are due to the reduced supply of processed food, salt, and other unhealthy food elements. However, this is also a critical stage since your food sources have to make sure you have enough vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, zinc, calcium, and iron.
Six Months Onwards
Your body should be used to the new diet by now. However, watch out for your vitamin B12 needs. Not getting enough vitamin B12 could lead to anemia, nerve damage, negative effects on memory and thinking. But do not worry as there is a way to improve this situation.
Make sure you take supplements, so you still get the complete nutrition you need. Eating fortified foods could also prevent the vitamin B12 deficiency.
Conclusion
A vegan diet is a good option for people who want to lower their chances of getting certain illnesses, reduce heart diseases, and also reduce weight. The lifestyle change might vary depending on people’s lifestyles, food choices, and how their body reacts to changes, but if you want to have an idea, the mentioned effects are the most commonly observed changes vegan people experience.
If you are a beginner on the journey, congratulations! Keep your eye on your goal and always remember why you started. If you add more options to your diet, consider adding dry sea moss to the list which you can make into an all purpose gel for intake and face masks. You can get the supply from our shop. At Plant Based Jeff, we offer 20 percent off for first-time customers!.