5 Unusual Benefits of Going Vegan (Warning: Poop Talk)

There are two types of vegans in this world: the ones who do it for the animals and the ones who do it for their own health (this one also includes doing it for the environment, which impacts our health).

But regardless of why you choose a vegan diet, there are some universal benefits of going vegan that all vegans experience; they can't be avoided. Some we talk about all the time like sparing animals or losing weight. Some, not so much.

Think you're ready to take on the vegan diet? Here are some of the other benefits of going vegan:

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1. Maintain a healthier weight: When first going vegan, most people typically lose weight. Unlike other diets (looking at you, Paleo), where there can be a significant initial weight loss, vegans have an easier time maintaining a healthy weight all the time. In other words, you won't gain a ton back and you're more likely to have an easier time keeping it off.

2. Better poop: It's gross and I'll make it brief, but a healthy vegan diet is abundant in fiber, which in most cases, is a good thing (some gastrointestinal issues that can't tolerate fiber aside). More fiber means less straining, better formed stools and less of the, let's just say, un-fun bathroom time. I don't know about you, but a bad poop experience can ruin my day.

3. You can eat more dessert: Dairy and eggs make up most dessert items, making them too rich, fattening and unhealthy to eat regularly. Not the case for vegans. Yes, you can overdo it or do it wrong-Oreos are vegan after all-but a healthy vegan dessert can really be guilt-free in all the right ways.

4. You really know your vegetables: No matter what type of diet you eat, your physician will always advise you to eat more vegetables. The benefits are extraordinary and irrefutable, and as a vegan, you've got your plant intake covered. Hopefully you're consuming a wide array of different fruits and vegetables to get the many delicious benefits. And this means cooking seasonally and locally, too. This brings variety to your plate that can't be said for eating the same old pig, cow, chicken or fish. (Sad face.)

5. Decreased risk of food poisoning: Any food at any time can harbor harmful bacteria, but you do decrease your risk of common bugs like salmonella and e. coli by opting out of the common culprits: animal products. And the benefits to that are many. (See #2).

About the Author

Jill Ettinger Jill Ettinger is a freelance writer and editor. A focus on food, herbs, wellness and world cultural expressions, Jill explores what our shifting food, healing systems and creative landscapes will look, sound and taste like in the future. Stay in touch on Twitter @jillettinger and Google +.

Entities 0 Name: Jill Count: 1 1 Name: Paleo Count: 1 2 Name: Google Count: 1 3 Name: Jill Ettinger Jill Ettinger Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1k3Ha2A Title: Eating more fruits, vegetables has no effect on weight loss Description: Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered that having more fruits and vegetables in a person's diet will have no effect on weight loss, which is contrary to the often recommended notion of eating more of them to lose weight.