Diets and dietary choices are something that is currently hot modern topics. There are so many diets out there that it can be quite overwhelming when trying to ascertain which might be the best diet for you to follow. Reasons to make dietary changes range from weight control to managing chronic illness to making an ethical stand, to making environmental choices and everything in between!
Today, in our diet comparison, we are going to be looking at the vegan and the raw-vegan diet. Both diets initially were born from a concern for animal welfare. They have since transformed into popular modern diets that are not only linked with animal welfare but are increasingly responsible for countless health benefits, as well as being the most environmentally friendly diets.
When you are following a vegan diet, you omit all animal products from your diet. This includes any animal flesh whether it be from beef, lamb, seafood, fish or fowl, dairy products, egg products and any animal-based sauces, seasonings etc.
Basically, if it comes from an animal it is not allowed in your diet. The vegan diet is completely plant-based with protein being sourced from green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and soy products.
With the raw-vegan diet, you also omit any animal products from your diet in addition to any product that has been heated above 115F.
People who follow a raw vegan diet embrace the philosophy that anything that has been cooked above this temperature has lost its enzymes and most of its nutritional value and are as a result, harmful to the body. The raw vegan diet is a completely plant-based diet, where you consume only raw plant-based products that include vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Main pros of the vegan diet:
- A vegan diet lowers your odds of developing cancer, auto-immune diseases, heart disease, and diabetes.
- The vegan diet is generally much lower in saturated fat than other diets.
- Has been very successful with weight-loss and weight management.
- The vegan diet is a diet that addresses animal welfare and is cruelty-free.
- Is a diet that is known for being better for the planet in terms of reducing your carbon imprint.
Main pros of the raw-vegan diet:
- A raw-vegan diet is very much linked with reducing your chances of developing many diseases such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, heart disease and diabetes.
- Typically, the raw-vegan diet tends also be low-sodium.
- The raw-vegan diet is usually free from added sugars, preservatives and chemical additives.
- Consistently high in fibre
- Kind to animals and to the planet
Main cons of the vegan diet:
- Need to be very aware of your nutritional intake and may need to consider supplementation especially when it comes to vitamin B12.
- You need to ensure you are getting enough calcium.
- You need to ensure you are getting enough protein.
- The term ‘vegan’ can, unfortunately, be a source of negative comments from others, so this is something to be aware of.
- Just because you are consuming products that are not animal-based does not necessarily mean they are healthy. It is important to be aware of the nutritional benefits of the foods that you are consuming.
Main cons of the raw-vegan diet:
- A raw-vegan diet can lead to deficiencies in calcium, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids so it is vital to address the nutritional balance of the meals you are consuming.
- Since the food you are eating has not been broken down via a cooking process, the raw-vegan diet can lead to issues with bloating and gas.
- Getting enough protein can be a real challenge on a raw-vegan diet and it may be necessary to look at supplementation.
- Can be a very restrictive diet.
- Can be hard to maintain socially.
How can meal kits help to maintain your vegan and raw-vegan diets?
Trying to implement a new diet such as the vegan or raw-vegan diet can be a real challenge. Initially, you might be spending an overwhelming time on menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and cooking.
The beauty of using meal kit services is that they do all the hard work for you! Not only do they provide weekly changing menus that cater specifically for the vegan and raw-vegan diet, they also do the grocery shopping for you. In some instances, you will even find your meal preparation is completed for you, and all meals are nutritionally balanced and come with healthy portion control! The vegan and raw-vegan diet do provide some challenges initially, which is a shame as both diets have multiple health benefits.
By using a meal kit service, your chances of succeeding on your vegan or raw-vegan diet are so much greater. A meal kit service is all about convenience, taste, variety, and cost-effectiveness and will be a helpful tool when following your vegan or raw-vegan diet.
To further read about the best meal kit services available for the vegan diet please click here.
