A few years ago, the word "vegan" was unknown to us, so writing an article on the subject seemed like the right time, especially since I have changed my diet.
Who are they? Where do they come from? What do they want us to understand about our food? What are they waiting for?
Little reminder: Vegan is a mix of vegetarian and vegan
A vegetarian excludes red meat and white meat. Unlike a vegan who rejects meat, seafood, eggs, and even honey in his diet.
Even if they readily say they are vegan, some people do not really know why they changed their original diet to embrace this new way of eating, thinking about food and seeing the world differently.
Is being vegan a simple trend like a fashion trend, a way of following others, or a lifestyle that can take root in the long term as a new, healthy and serious food category?
While in France, the term is starting to become a little more known, some countries, such as England, are one step ahead on the subject. We were able to collect the testimony of a young Londoner who chose to enlighten us on the motivations that led him to become vegan.
Testimony of Stacy A.
In 2000, I had an allergy and my body started to swell. It was really not a pretty sight. I scratched my skin a lot, especially in the evening. After a few days, I ended up going to the emergency room. I came out with a prescription and a treatment to follow:
Anti-inflammatory tablets and a doctor's appointment 1 month later.
I started my treatment and very quickly I realized that it had no effect, moreover, other small pimples were added. It was horrible!
I went back to my appointment as planned. A new prescription with a new anti-inflammatory was prescribed to me, but I did not want to continue because I was angry but above all discouraged.
Having completed higher education in nutrition, I embarked on research to understand and know the cause of this itching.
As a researcher, I first listed all the products in my daily diet, studying their components carefully. I made a parallel between new consumer foods and those that were familiar to me since childhood. I did not only focus on food, I also explored the materials used on clothing fabrics, personal hygiene products, etc.
Of course, food was more important than anything else. So I started to study carefully what I usually ate:
- Takeaway food,
- Processed dairy products,
- Eggs, nuts, fruits and many others…, all “usual suspects”.
It was then that a very radical decision was imposed on me. I had to eliminate everything that did not contribute to keeping me healthy and that caused damage to my body. I gradually introduced new foods with better nutritional qualities. The itching problems disappeared, no more need for inflammatories. I removed eggs and cheese because of the histamine traces.
You won't believe it, but it took me 12 years to be sure and certain of the kind of diet and cosmetic products that suited my body and brought my skin real well-being. Since then, I have developed a real passion for food. I write down in a notebook every product that I eat, discover and cook my own recipes.
The main steps : At 17, I started a vegan diet of 4 days a week where I considerably reduced my consumption of dairy products to almost 0. Also, for 3 days I could eat poultry, fish and, from time to time, red meat. At 21, I became vegan for 4 and a half years, following my studies in nutrition. The results were impressive.
First, I learned to digest well. I fasted. My stomach was as flat as a plate (laughs…). I only ate homemade food with fresh and healthy products. I also noticed that I was more focused in everything I did. To conclude: Vegan is not a cult, it is a way of life, of improving your health, of listening to your body and of respecting the quantities and qualities of nutrients that the body needs. Each person's physique varies, but one thing is certain is that appearance changes and gluttony must be better controlled. Advice: To succeed in becoming vegan, it is not done at the drop of a hat. You have to anticipate for a period of about 3 to 4 months, this allows a good transition especially for those who have particular health problems, for example. You have to know what you are getting into and what it implies not only for yourself but also for those around you. I am a flexitarian (one who can eat fish and vegetables), I feel good, comfortable and full of energy. I do sports and cook healthily. My problems from 20 years ago are now a thing of the past. You have understood it well, VEGAN is not just a diet, but it encompasses a real philosophy of life. I wish you too to find your way
food and flourish there.
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