Vegan diets: Hottest food trends, environmentally sustainable, and healthier

VEGANISM IS an extreme form of vegetarianism. Dating back to 1944, the term was coined to describe people who do not eat meat, eggs, milk and dairy. In an extreme form of veganism, those who follow it do not take even honey or gelatin. Some even exclude use of animal objects like ivory, pearls, wool, silk and leather.

The concept of avoiding meat and flesh as food can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies. The Greek Philosopher Pythagoras advocated benevolence to animals. Certain sects of Buddhism and Hinduism also advocate vegetarianism.

While the first society to promote vegetarian diets was formed in 1847, today vegan diets are the hottest food trends. A quick look at social media for a vegan hashtag reveals over 33 million posts on vegan delicacies.

According to figures, one third of our green house gases come from farming around rearing and slaughter of livestock.

The health benefits that seem to be driving people to go vegan include weight loss and cancer prevention. The World Cancer Research Fund has also made links between meat consumption and cancer.

This has seen a large number of people turning to only plant food, clocking a growth of 360 per cent over the past decade, according to the Vegan society.

The medical research around vegan diets is so far supportive. Reduced levels of inflammation and better gut microbiota are reported in studies comparing vegetarian, omnivorous and vegan diets.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a well-planned vegan diet is healthy and nutritionally adequate. It may provide health benefits for prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Vegan diets are appropriate for all stages of life including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and for adults and athletes. They offer an environmentally sustainable food solution compared to diets rich in animal food.

Vegans are at a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers and obesity.

The diets must be rich in vegetables, fruits, pulses, lentils, nuts, seeds and highfibre grains. Vegans also need reliable sources of Vitamin B-12 through fortified supplements.

However, the jury is clear that a healthy vegan diet is superior to an omnivorous diet. However, a health-conscious meat or fish diet can also be protective. Radical changes in diets are not warranted unless needed.

All in all, diets need to be customised and there are no simple solutions that can be applied to all.

Author is a clinical nutritionist and founder of www.theweightmonitor.com and Whole Foods India