So many of us want to find ways to be healthier, especially when we are surrounded by processed foods and carbonated beverages. By adding some plant-based consumables to your diet, you don’t have to miss out on anything you love, and small changes can go a long way.
We are not saying you have to go 100% vegan if you don’t want to, but incorporating some animal-free products into your life can do so much for your health and the environment!
How are plant-based consumables beneficial to health?
Veganism and incorporating animal-free products have become increasingly common over the past few years, as studies have shown how great it can be for our health and for the planet. This type of diet also typically focuses on wholefoods too, instead of processed food.
Some benefits to plant-based food include:
- Better weight management: lower BMI and lower rates of obesity due to plant food being high in fibre, water, and complex carbohydrates. Studies have shown that even reducing meat or dairy can vastly improve health and weight.
- Better overall health: Eating less meat can help reduce risks of strokes, diabetes, heart disease, and it can help lower your blood pressure.
- Helping the planet: By reducing the consumption of meat or animal based products, this can help lower greenhouse gas emissions, save water, save energy, and save the animals!
Tips on adding vegan alternatives to your diet
First of all, it is a marathon not a race! Go at your own pace and if you only want to swap out one thing for a plant-based alternative then that is still amazing! Start by reducing your animal intake, for example, if you eat meat every day- try reducing this to five times a week.
Another tip is to try new things. Keep being adventurous and try things that you usually wouldn’t- add some spices, make meals from scratch, and keep researching new things that you can add to your diet.
If you really want to get stuck in and follow a largely plant-based diet, then research is key. Ask for advice, talk to vegan friends, and make sure that you are still getting enough protein, nutrients, and balance in your diet.
HumaniTea: the perfect plant-based beverage
If you are hoping to add more plant-based items in your life but don’t know where to begin, why not start with HumaniTea? We are 100% plant-based which means we are perfect for vegans, those who are lactose intolerant, and those who love a good quality tea!
We use oat milk instead of dairy, and we brew the oat milk with actual tea leaves. This means our ingredients are ethically sourced with low sugar that releases natural energy, and you still get a creamy taste that you would normally get with a standard cup of tea.
Our two flavours- Earl Grey Oat Milk Classic Tea Latte and Matcha Oat Milk Green Tea Latte offer smooth, great taste so you won’t have to worry about the fact that it is dairy free!
This is a great way to incorporate veganism into your life, as it will benefit not only your health, but our sustainable lattes also benefit the environment.
You can find our products on our website, or at The Vegan Kind Online Supermarket, which we will come on to next…
The Vegan Kind- The UK’s No.1 Vegan Subscription Box
Your next step after trying our HumaniTea vegan beverages is to search for some plant-based snacks!
The Vegan Kind is the UK’s No.1 website for vegan subscription boxes, and you can select a lifestyle box or a beauty box, which give you the chance to have a range of vegan items, or go to their online supermarket.
The supermarket section has all the plant-based essentials you need- including fruit and veg, items for a vegan barbecue, ready meals, dairy free chocolate, and meatless chicken! We suggest you try this online shop and browse their selection to find out what plant-based alternatives can spice up your diet!
Why Julie decided to switch up her diet
Julie, who is 47, has been a pescatarian for ten years after wanting to cut out all kinds of meat. She has recently decided to try some plant-based alternatives, but doesn’t think she can fully commit to being a vegan.
Julie said: “I have been trying to be more health-conscious lately, and I realised that I don’t need to consume as many animal products as I currently do. For me, it was quite easy to give up certain meats, but I think it would be near impossible for me to give up cheese!
“However, I have swapped dairy milk for almond milk and oat milk, and I know that I can definitely keep this up. I hope I can start making more great choices for my health, but I also don’t want to restrict myself too much.”
If you want to become 100% plant-based, know how to look after your health
As a final reminder, if you want to become a full vegan, you have to ensure that you are getting the correct nutrients in your diet. To make sure you are getting enough protein, you need to swap meat and eggs for beans, lentils, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and soy products such as tofu.
Mushrooms, spinach, and food that contain vitamin D are also essential, and it may be best that you also take a vitamin D supplement. 