Category: Lifestyle

Vegan and vegetarian lifestyle news

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New Year’s Resolutions: Veganism, Exercise, and Other Habits to Try for Wellness

Most New Year’s resolutions probably sound overdone by now, especially when we don’t necessarily follow through. Reframing your usual resolutions and giving yourself new motivations can help. Vegan New Year resolutions, in particular, aren’t just a trend as many people respond to pressing problems on our planet. Large-scale industrial agriculture and its effects on animals, humans, and the environment. Animal agriculture contributes at least 15.6% of all greenhouse gas emissions, whereas meat and animal products come with high animal welfare costs. Keep in mind the positives you can contribute by picking up healthy and vegan habits in the new year. In today’s post, we’ll look at some of the practices you can try for 2023:

Try new vegan recipes


If you’re new to veganism, investing in a vegan cookbook or checking out any of the countless vegan YouTube channels can help provide you with tips to transition into a vegan diet healthily. You can also connect with other vegans for recipe recommendations or exchange recipes if you’re a cook yourself. For long-time vegans, however, try to reframe your resolution by challenging yourself to try new things: vegan restaurants, unfamiliar vegan ingredients, and so on. You can also try giving your body specific nutrients, such as foods that provide Vitamin D or supplements you can try to complement your vegan diet. Embracing the vegan diet shouldn’t keep your body from accessing necessary nutrients. Plus, it can be tied with other health-related resolutions, such as getting more sleep or learning new sports and exercises.

Exercise more


Exercising is one of those stubborn resolutions many of us make, which we all know is actually challenging to maintain. Like all new habits, you must take it slow. Instead of committing to intimidating and costly gym subscriptions right away, start with small, sustainable exercise habits. One of the best ideas is to make walking 10,000 steps a day your ultimate goal. Walking may not seem physically demanding — or rewarding — exercise, but doing this every day is just as effective as doing five 30-minute workouts weekly. Moreover, walking helps you maintain a healthy heart rate while storing less body fat, so it’s a great way to start the new year if you also want to fit into your clothes better. Other small activities you can start with include squats and crunches, as well as chair exercises you can do at your work desk.

Volunteer at vegan-related orgs


Another way to strengthen your motivation to maintain your new and healthy habits is by volunteering. Look for local organizations and nonprofits that align with your veganism, such as anti-animal cruelty organizations or events that promote sustainability and climate change action. This is an excellent way to remind yourself of the purpose of your healthy lifestyle. Additionally, volunteering offers as much personal benefit for you as it does for others. It helps you meet like-minded people while devoting your resources to giving back to your community and the movements you care about.

Reduce alcohol


Lastly, a simple but healthy New Year’s resolution comes in the form of reducing your alcohol intake. Some alcoholic products are not vegan-friendly as they are filtered with ingredients made from animal parts, products, or by-products — including gelatin and collagen. Commercial winemakers also use animal-based ingredients as fining agents to improve their taste, whereas other types of alcohol are mixed with non-vegan ingredients. This doesn’t mean you should quit drinking entirely if you’re not up for it. Many liquors are vegan, namely bourbon, whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum, as long as they aren’t mixed with non-vegan ingredients. Something to keep in mind is that nearly all distilled spirits are vegan unless they contain cream or honey.

For more ideas on healthy vegan habits, check out our list of conscious consumption tips. We recommend green alternatives to improve your health and boost your lifestyle — without harming the planet.

Don’t miss the Veggly Blog

As Veggly grows further, make sure you stay up to date and read some of our success stories and messages from our users who found love from their Veg-Matches – all on this page here.

Stay up to date with all of our announcements, other news stories, blog posts, healthy vegan habits, and recipes. Please follow Veggly across our social channels:

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Would Vegans Eat Lab-Grown Meat?

We recently released new figures for a global survey of our 750,000+ users. That reveals the extent of global vegan and vegetarian support for cultured meat. Also known as lab-grown meat and if they are willing to add it to their diet.

The results for vegans are as follows:

  • 24% of vegans would eat cultured meat as it’s cruelty free
  • 47% of vegans would not eat cultured meat, but support it as it’s ultimately cruelty free
  • 29% of vegans would not eat or support cultured meat

The results for vegetarians are as follows:

  • 22% of vegetarians would eat cultured meat as it’s cruelty free
  • 50% of vegetarians would not eat cultured meat, but support it as it’s cruelty free
  • 28% of vegetarians would not eat or support any kind of meat, even if it’s cultured 

It’s notable that the consumption of these products should increase, especially in the US, where the FDA recently approved cultured meat as “safe to eat”.

Commenting on the research results, the Founder of Veggly, Alex Felipelli, said: “Can you ‘meat’ us halfway on this? Vegans don’t have to eat lab-grown meat, but it’s worth supporting. The more momentum cultured meat gains, the less demand there will be for animal meat. Ultimately, we as vegans just want to save as many animal lives as possible and protect the planet. Cultured meat is one of the new innovations that will help us achieve this, so it’s worth supporting or encouraging, even if we don’t want to eat it.

“Of course, there will be many different viewpoints in the vegan community on this issue; nothing will change that. But we need to understand the wider reality, anything that helps keep animals off plates is a good thing for a vegan world. Besides being more environmentally friendly. I hope that when we check these survey results again next year, the figures improve! And more vegans will be willing to eat lab-grown meat!”

Available throughout the world (used in 181 countries), Veggly is set to continue its rapid growth. That is thanks to its growing army of vegan volunteers around the world who have worked together to translate the app into Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Italian, Danish, and Polish, with many more languages on the way. 

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Tips for dating vegans (or Anyone Else, Really)

Two people holding hands

 Many people searching for their significant other will eventually come to the realization that dating can be difficult, frustrating, and even downright depressing. It can even make some take a hiatus from romantic pursuits, and dedicate their free time to something else. Yet, eventually, the desire to have that “special someone” in your life will call you back into the arena. Here are some quick tips to try and maximize your success and make sure your time playing the dating game is time well spent, when dating vegans (or anyone else):

1. Be Yourself

When you’re setting up an online dating profile, or going on an in-person date with someone for the first time, you naturally want to put your best foot forward. You know how important, and long-lasting, first impressions can be.

But resist the temptation to create a “false self,” which seems to be all the more common in this age of social media, with every other person wanting to be a trendsetter or influencer, and amass the largest following possible. 

It is important that the other person befriends, and perhaps ultimately falls in love with, the real you, and not some fictitious persona you’ve created to impress people. While it may be tempting to embellish details of your life, and create the “perfect” version of yourself, remember that, if the relationship lasts, your partner will eventually discover the real you, and they’ll be heartbroken if they find that the person they’ve fallen in love with is actually a character you’ve created in your head.

2. Be Honest

 As your relationship with another person goes on, past first impressions and into the “getting to know you” phase and beyond, you should always strive to be as truthful as possible. 

Now, obviously, we all have secrets. Many people have lived through trauma and experienced hardships; sometimes at more than one point in their lives. You shouldn’t be forced to share anything you’re not comfortable disclosing. 

But whenever it is reasonable, tell the truth. Remember, the truth might very well reveal itself later on, and as long as the relationship is built on mutual respect, your partner should accept you for who you are your flaws and all. 

3. Have Realistic Expectations

That’s right, flaws! Everybody has them, even vegans! And if you can’t acknowledge that you are a flawed human being, and accept and love yourself, how can you expect another person to?

Furthermore, it is vitally important that you recognize that whoever you fall in love with will have their own set of imperfections, and that’s okay too. Nobody is perfect, and even vegans make mistakes. We are actively trying to live as kind, respectful, and meaningful life as possible, but sometimes we fail in those efforts.

Don’t expect the other person to be a prince or princess from a fairy tale. It’s important to have standards, but don’t make them so impossibly high that no one can ever live up to them.

4. Be Open-Minded and Willing to Accept Differences

You are never going to find someone who thinks and acts exactly like you. That’s what makes us individuals. No matter how much you have in common with another person, there will always be things you disagree on, big and small. 

Now, obviously, as vegans, many of us consider treating animals with respect to being a moral baseline, along with many other intersectional social justice causes. But if your partner likes bluegrass music, and you prefer death metal, don’t let this sort of thing be a dealbreaker. Part of the fun of dating someone is learning to appreciate a different perspective on the world. Take the opportunity to learn new things and explore new territory. What hobbies or interests does your partner have that you were previously unfamiliar with?

5. Be Patient

Finding the love of your life might take time, so don’t lose hope. Unfortunately, movies and songs often make the search for love look extremely easy and straightforward. Boy meets girl, they fall in love almost immediately, and that’s that. Off into the sunset (or at least, the bedroom). But real life doesn’t always work out that way. Many people spend years searching for the right partner.

You just have to try your best to stay optimistic and tell yourself that somewhere out there, there is a magnificent person looking for you too.

6. Don’t Let a Bad Experience Stop You

Most people will go on a bad date, get rejected by a potential love interest, or have their hearts broken by a bad breakup at some point in their life. This may happen several times, in fact. But don’t let a bad experience make you think that you are unworthy of being loved. 

Sometimes people can be cruel, even if you are still attracted to them in some way. Consider getting out of a toxic relationship, or avoiding one altogether, as a blessing in disguise. If a person, regardless of whether you’ve known them for five minutes or 5 years, treats you inhumanely and intentionally seeks to hurt you (either emotionally or physically), you’re probably better off without them. Move on, and find someone who treats you with respect and compassion.

7. Don’t Sabotage Yourself

A quick checklist of do’s and don’ts when creating an online profile:

     • Take the time to write a bio. People don’t want to go off a photo alone.

     • Post more than one photo. While it’s nice to see pictures of family, friends, and favorite places, most of the photos should be of you. And for heaven’s sake, don’t have a profile that contains ZERO pictures.

     • Make sure they’re high-quality photographs. No pixelated, out-of-focus shots. Make sure the lighting is good, and that you can be seen clearly. Don’t obscure your face with anything (including weird filters). Make sure you’re actually close enough to the camera to be easily recognizable.

     • Tell the truth about your age! 

     • Evite to fill your profile with a list of ridiculous demands or “dealbreakers”. Like that your potential mate must have attended an Ivy League school, and make at least $300,000 a year. Or maybe, be at least 6’2″ tall, and/or never wear baseball hats.

     • Even if you swear in real life, you should avoid obscenities in your profile. It’s off-putting.

     • If you make a statement in your bio like: “I’m an open book. Please feel free to ask me anything,” or otherwise encourage people to message you. In that case, actually have the courtesy to respond to people if and when they do contact you, even if only to say: “No thank you.”

Article Written By Michael Chatham

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10 Conscious Consumption Tips to Celebrate Green Friday

Conscious Consumption

Today is Black Friday, a day known for incentivizing massive consumption, which is not helpful for the environment. Exacerbated consumption promotes serious environmental consequences, since it generates an excessive exploitation of the planet’s natural resources. In addition, this results in a huge production of garbage that ends up in landfills and oceans, then affecting the nature and the wild life. In order to bring awareness to that and foster a more conscious consumption, we created Green Friday and brought you 10 tips of products and actions that will help make the planet more sustainable. Even small changes in people’s behavior can bring a huge impact to the planet!

1- Menstrual collector

The silicone cup emerged as an economical and sustainable alternative to collect menstruation. It lasts from 5 to 10 years, avoiding the production of waste. According to the Akatu Institute, a woman can generate, during her lifetime, about 200 kilos of garbage in disposable pads alone. That’s why using menstrual cups is the best option to help the planet and generate less waste.

2- Skincare/Body products

Sustainable skincare and body products offer full performance to improve your skin and well-being. All that, without polluting the planet or harming animals. They use renewable raw materials and don’t add chemical substances, which are harmful to the skin. Aside from that, unsustainable skincare products produce a lot of waste because of their packaging, which is mostly plastic.

3- Hygiene products

Traditional hygiene products contain a series of toxic components that are harmful to the environment and our health. In addition to having excess plastic in their packaging, replacing these products with those with paper or recycled packaging is the best option. Some options are shampoos and bar conditioners, which have zero plastic, contain no harmful components and last much longer.

4- Bamboo toothbrush

The exchange of the traditional brush for the ecological one helps reduce the disposal of several plastic brushes that go to landfills and take up to 400 years to decompose. The ecological brush does not harm the environment and has the same useful life as the traditional one. In addition to bamboo being antibacterial, it helps prevent the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. In other words, it is good for both your oral health and the environment, a perfect Green Friday product.

5- Returnable bags (tote bag)

In addition to being sustainable, they are also fashionable. Most tote bags are made from recyclable materials, such as cotton, crochet, or velvet, generating much less waste than plastic bags.

6- Water bottles

Stainless steel thermoses are the best option for conscious consumption, in addition to being reusable, they do not harm the environment like plastic ones, which generate a lot of garbage and take a long time to decompose, and, while this does not occur, their waste pollutes sewers, forests, and rivers.

7- Stainless steel straw

The straws are durable, sustainable, and economical, excellent for replacing plastic straws, avoiding several health problems, and even avoiding the disposal of hundreds of plastic straws per year, which take 500 years to decompose in nature.

8- Returnable coffee capsule

They are made of aluminum, and stainless steel, providing greater freedom to make coffee. More economical compared to traditional ones, they are more durable and cause less environmental impact by reducing waste. The perfect innovation for more conscious consumption this Green Friday

9- Solar energy

It is a form of renewable and sustainable energy that has less impact on the environment. That’s because carbon dioxide and other gases related to the “greenhouse effect” aren’t produced. Solar energy is a great option to use in the heating system of your house, it can be used to provide energy to heat the water, heaters, or cooling system of the house. Nowadays, you can also use solar energy with daily products, like portable chargers or heating water bottles.

10- Buy from local producers

Family farming offers fresher and healthier products, as food reaches you faster, also reducing transport costs and carbon emissions. Another important point is that they use less packaging, which results in less garbage and wastefulness. Thus, consuming products from family farming is a positive habit that influences our health, the economy, and the producers.

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What Clinical Research Says About The Health Benefits of Vegan Diets

Veganism used to be a simple trend that belonged to a minority population. Today, however, it is a philosophy as well as a social movement for many across the world! Google Trends has tracked veganism’s popularity as a search term since 2004, and in 2016 veganism finally caught up with the term “meat” and has consistently surpassed it in popularity since.

Interestingly, the sales of plant-based foods have also grown, particularly as global levels of health consciousness increased. It’s clear that there’s a relationship between vegan diets and health, but is this backed up by clinical research? Let’s take a closer look below.

Healthy for your body


Many may switch to veganism because of physical health reasons. Nearly half of adults in the United States, 47%, have hypertension, whereas more than one-third, 36.6%, are overweight or obese. These conditions benefit from vegan diets.

The reason is that vegan diets tend to be high in fiber and low in cholesterol, protein, calcium, and salt. Consistent evidence in Translational Psychiatry shows the short- to moderate-term benefits of plant-based diets, including weight status, energy metabolism, and systemic inflammation. The lower levels of cholesterol are also related to a lower risk of heart disease.

This means more opportunities to develop novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against obesity, eating disorders, and other co morbidities. The positive effects on brain health and cognitive functions are being explored, as well as any other underlying mechanisms.

Healthy for your mind


A vegan diet provides benefits for your mind. Mental health conditions are becoming globally prevalent and mental health data compiled by Maryville University shows that one in five adults in the United States has a mental illness. On the other hand, one in six children has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Untreated, these disorders could lead to severe life-threatening crises in adulthood, which is why many families seek holistic healing through lifestyle and dietary changes. Here, vegan diets make a popular appearance.

Antioxidants and other nutrients, proven to be protective against depressive symptoms, are abundant in vegan diets. The phytochemical quercetin, found only in plant foods like kale or berries, increases the amounts of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain too. Additionally, tryptophan, which can be derived from leafy greens and sunflower seeds, is readily converted into serotonin.

Otherwise, ethically sourced vegan diets also bring about positive feelings, such as altruism and a sense of purpose. A study published on NCBI found that consciously abstaining from the consumption of animal products could lead to less personal guilt. Mostly, regarding the environment or animal welfare. This could contribute to a better psychological state.

Reminders for aspiring vegans


Unhealthy vegan diets also exist. For one, people may inadvertently consume high levels of processed plant foods, a known risk factor for increased depression. It is also possible for people to fail to regulate their intake of vitamin B12, which has been linked to depression and stroke. This is also true of PUFAs, which are crucial for brain function.


Our tips to a long life listed in Healthy Vegan Diet, therefore, stress consuming a balanced diet of fresh produce alongside other non-processed foods such as nuts and legumes. Protein is easily found in all sorts of food beyond meat or dairy, but vitamin B12 may be a little harder to find in vegan diets. There is a low daily requirement for B12, and fortified foods can provide it. Supplements are also readily available.

To better stick to a healthier vegan diet, having emotional support helps! That is why Veggly, the world’s number one vegan dating app, helps you find your Veg-Love so that you can share meals in peace and enjoy each other’s company. Together, we can spread the love for ourselves, each other, and the planet.

Article written for the exclusive use of veggly.net 

By Alicia Colin

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Veganism and Fitness: A Perfect VegMatch!

Veganism and Fitness are strongly connected. Probably way more than you think! The vegan lifestyle is one where individuals do not consume any animal products. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. 

Veganism and Fitness

Vegans also do not wear or use any animal-derived products, such as leather, wool, and silk. While the vegan lifestyle is primarily about saving animals, its diet also benefits both health and the planet.

Vegans tend to be healthier than their meat-eating counterparts. They have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Vegans also tend to live longer than non-vegans.

The vegan lifestyle is not only good for humans, but it is also good for the planet. Factory farming is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. 

By consuming less animal products, vegans help to reduce the negative impact of these industries on the planet.

The vegan lifestyle is a healthy and sustainable way to live. 

It’s even more wonderful if you can find someone who shares the same lifestyle as you, so you and your partner can live happily and healthily together. If you’re feeling inspired, you can find your VegMatch today!

Veganism and Fitness

The link between veganism and fitness is a strong one. After all, both lifestyles emphasize healthy eating and living. And, as you probably know, what you eat has a direct impact on your physical fitness. 

A vegan lifestyle, when done correctly, ensures that your body gets all the right nutrients it needs in a healthy and sustainable way. Keeping your body in tiptop shape internally will make reaching your fitness goals much easier.

That being said, there are some key ways in which veganism and fitness complement each other perfectly. Here are just a few of them:

1. Veganism and fitness – A vegan diet is naturally high in fiber

Fiber is an important nutrient for keeping your digestive system healthy and regular. It’s also beneficial for blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and more. And since a vegan diet is naturally high in fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, following a vegan lifestyle can help you reach your health and fitness goals. 

2. Veganism and fitness – A vegan diet is also high in antioxidants

Antioxidants are important for overall health, but they’re also essential for exercise recovery. That’s because they help to reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. And since a vegan diet is rich in antioxidant-rich foods like berries, dark leafy greens, and nuts, following a vegan lifestyle can help you recover from your workouts more quickly.

3. Veganism and fitness – A vegan diet can help you control your weight

If you’re trying to lose weight, a vegan diet can be a helpful tool. That’s because vegan diets tend to be lower in calories and fat than other diets. Plus, plant-based foods are generally more filling than animal-based foods. As a result, following a vegan diet can help you control your weight and reach your fitness goals.

4. Veganism and fitness – A vegan diet can improve your cardiovascular health

Your heart is a muscle, and like all muscles, it benefits from a healthy diet. A vegan diet can help improve your cardiovascular health by reducing your risk of heart disease. That’s because a vegan diet is typically low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber and antioxidants. All of these factors can help to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease.

5. Veganism and fitness – A vegan diet can boost your energy levels

If you’re looking for a way to boost your energy levels, a vegan diet may be the answer. That’s because plant-based foods are generally packed with nutrients that can help improve your overall health and well-being. And when you feel better, you have more energy to put towards your fitness goals.

Vegan Fitness Diet – a Day in a Vegan’s Life

Are you a fitness enthusiast who’s looking to go vegan? Or maybe you’re already vegan and want to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need to support your active lifestyle. 

Either way, this meal plan is for you!

Breakfast:

  • Green smoothie made with spinach, kale, pineapple, and bananas
  • Overnight oats with chia seeds, almond milk, and fresh berries
  • Scrambled tofu with veggies and whole grain toast

Lunch:

  • Veggie wrap with avocado, black beans, and roasted red peppers
  • Massaged kale salad with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette
  • Roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito bowl

Dinner:

  • Thai green curry with tofu, veggies, and brown rice
  • Spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and vegan meatballs
  • Pizza with a cauliflower crust and toppings of your choice

Snacks:

  • Fruit and nut bars
  • Veggies and hummus
  • Vegan coconut yogurt with berries
  • Raw energy balls

Vegan Proteins and Fitness

As a fitness enthusiast, you are always looking for ways to get the most out of your workout routine and stay in tip top shape. 

A vegan diet can be a great way to fuel your body and get the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. However, you may be wondering if a vegan diet can provide enough protein for your needs.

The answer is yes! A vegan diet can absolutely provide enough protein for a fitness enthusiast. In fact, there are many plant-based sources of protein that are perfect for pre- and post-workout meals. 

Some great options include tofu, tempeh, lentils, quinoa, and beans.

Veganism, Fitness, and Supplements

No, you don’t have to take supplements as a vegan fitness athlete. However, depending on your diet, there may be some nutrients that you’re not getting enough of from food alone. 

In this case, supplements can help fill in the gaps.

Some common vegan supplements include vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. You may also want to consider a protein powder if you’re not getting enough protein from your diet. 

Speak with a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist to find out which supplements, if any, are right for you.

Takeaway

If you’re interested in following a vegan diet, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. There are cookbooks, websites, and even apps that can help you learn how to cook vegan meals. 

Once you get the hang of it, you may be surprised at how easy it is to eat a vegan diet and still reach your fitness goals.

Don’t miss the Veggly Blog

As Veggly grows further, make sure you stay up to date and read some of our success stories and messages from our users who found love from their VegMatches – all on this page here.

Stay up to date with all of our announcements, other news stories, blog posts, and recipes. Please follow Veggly across our social channels:

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Serving meat at a climate summit makes no sense and sets the wrong example

Veggly and Abillion founders, Alex Felipelli and Vikas Garg respectively, calls for the UN to ban meat at COP27, and all future climate summits 

COP27 and veganism

The eyes of the world are focused on COP27 this week for a good reason – our political leaders, top scientists, businesses leaders, charities, and activists are together in Egypt to collaborate, develop and discover new ways to solve the worsening climate crisis. 

The fate of the world is literally on the line. Whether you believe in the ability of climate summits or the UN to address the crisis, we should all be hoping, collectively, that the summit provides success and momentum for climate action. The impact of the work we put in today will be felt in the decades to come on a global scale. Now is the time for governments, businesses, communities and individuals to realize how crucial this issue is, and how we don’t have time to kick the can down the road and expect future leaders to solve the problem. It’ll be too late by then. As the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said: “the world is on the highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator”. Clearly, time is of the essence…

So, if we’re going to put our faith in our leaders at COP27, we should expect them to set a positive example on living sustainably, right? Surely we should be expecting them to at least follow a plant-based diet while they’re at the summit, right? Even if they’re not full time herbivores, you would hope that they would want to at least show the world that they understand the huge role animal-based food plays in global warming… 

Well, apparently that’s still too much to ask. I was disappointed to see this week that ‘VIPs’ at COP27 have been dining on beef, chicken, fish, dairy products and more! Despite peer-reviewed science that shows clearly that we must move away from animal products if we are to create a sustainable, low emissions food system, they seemingly don’t care or don’t know. I’m not sure which is worse…

It simply doesn’t make any sense. Not only are they choosing animal-based food options that are far more environmentally damaging than the plant-based options, they are also setting a terrible example when it comes to wider climate action and faith in the summit to tackle the problem. Why should anyone think COP27 will be a success if so many of the people we’re counting on to make the changes needed can’t make such a relatively easy switch. 

But this begs another question: why would the summit serve these options in the first place? How hard would it be to make the entire event plant-based? Relatively speaking, it wouldn’t be that much of a challenge. If anything, it would be easier. It is for this reason that my colleagues and I are calling for a ban on meat at all future climate summits. We can’t allow this oxymoronic behaviour to continue. You can’t say you’re totally committed to saving the planet if you’re choosing to provide and eat products that are so damaging to our ecosystems. 

I can only imagine that it’s for reasons like this – there must be many – that Greta Thunberg has elected not to go this year. She has seen through the contradictions and cognitive dissonance of so many people at these summits, and has therefore decided to focus her energy elsewhere and set a positive example. Of course, Greta is vegan, so that helps! 

Let’s just hope the current organisers and attendees of COP27 realise the benefits of plant-based living as well, before it’s too late… 

Alex Felipelli and Vikas Garg

Don’t miss the Veggly Blog

As Veggly grows further, make sure you stay up to date and read some of our success stories and messages from our users who found love from their VegMatches – all on this page here.

Stay up to date with all of our announcements, other news stories, blog posts, and recipes. Please follow Veggly across our social channels:

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Veganism and Monkeypox – How Can Veganism Help?

Veganism and Monkeypox – Does the lifestily help?

Veganism as a lifestyle choice is becoming increasingly popular by the day. The reasons why people switch to a vegan diet can be for many different reasons. Most people do it for the animals and the planet but some do it for health reasons.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can’t transfer from animals to humans. First discovered in 1958, and in 1970 human cases were reported with a large outbreak. 2022 has seen the biggest outbreak of monkeypox since 1970, and the cases being reported are on a global scale. With the increase in diseases that have originated in animals in recent years, many activists around the world have been calling on people to go vegan, but how much does that help? In this article, we will look at the link between veganism and monkeypox, and how going vegan can help lower your risk of monkeypox

Veganism and Monkeypox

What are the symptoms and how dangerous is it?

The symptoms of monkeypox might not be instantly visible in a person and might take some time to show up. Generally, the symptoms show within 21 days of the transmission of the disease. The symptoms to look out for in monkeypox are:

  • Constant headaches
  • High fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle and backache
  • Weakness

Monkeypox shares a lot of its symptoms with smallpox, but monkeypox doesn’t hit victims as badly as smallpox.

Other than these symptoms, monkeypox can also leave the person it affects with rashes and raised skin bumps that can be very irritating and infectious. In most cases, these rashes will clear up by themselves within a month.

Monkeypox can affect different people very differently. In some places, the mortality rate of monkeypox was seen at less than 3%, while in other places the mortality rate rose to 10%. A lot of it can come down to whom the disease affects and the overall healthcare in the country. Developing countries in Africa have seen a higher number of deaths than European countries like the UK. monkeypox is also much more likely to negatively affect smaller children and pregnant women. Monkeypox can also leave your body very weak and susceptible to other diseases and weaknesses.

How is monkeypox transmitted to humans?

Human to human

Monkeypox can be transmitted from one person to another very easily with personal contact of any kind being able to transmit the disease. Monkeypox can also be caught by touching items used or touched by an infected person. In some cases, it has been reported that monkeypox can also transmit from a pregnant woman to the fetus

Animals to humans

Monkeypox can be caught by humans very easily in many ways. The disease can easily transfer to a human by any contact they have with an animal. Being scratched or bitten can easily transmit the virus to a human. Eating an animal infected with monkeypox is seen as a big culprit in increasing the number of monkeypox cases.

How can I protect myself from monkeypox and benefit from being vegan

When looking at the infection caused by an animal, it is always best to avoid contact with wild animals, as these animals can carry and transmit monkeypox easily. On top of that, there are also many other diseases that should be avoided anyway.

How veganism helps

Vegans around the world have been urging people to stop eating meat, and the re-emergence of monkeypox helps in solidifying this message. Monkeypox can easily transfer from animal meat when it is consumed and it is affected. In most cases the people who are being affected have been infected by wild animals they have contact with or consume.

Cases from farm animals to humans haven’t been very common but with the new wave of monkeypox, scientists are discovering new ways in which the virus is transferring to people. That being said, even if eating raised meat won’t infect you with monkeypox, there are orthopox viruses similar to monkeypox that can affect you. Other animal-borne diseases in the past could have also been avoided if going vegan was the choice of more people.

Preventing transmission between humans

Basic SOPs should be followed, similar to what people have been accustomed to with COVID. Alongside that, there are vaccines for monkeypox, and smallpox vaccines are also effective in the prevention of monkeypox.

Additional benefits to being a vegan

The vegan lifestyle avoids using animal products, which is a big reason for it lowering the chances of getting monkeypox. Other than that, going vegan is still a very healthy lifestyle choice and very good for you. Most of the essential nutrients you need can be found in plant-based diets with vegan foods being very good for you. Researchers have found that vegan people live much longer lives on average. In the past, being vegan was a very hard lifestyle choice due to the limited food options, and the ones that were there were very expensive. Nowadays, there are many vegan options in the market and even online you can find many delicious vegan recipes. So not only will going vegan help you prevent monkeypox, but it will also make your life much healthier.

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Vegan Sources of Vitamin D

Vegan sources of vitamin D
  • What’s vitamin D good for? And what are the vegan sources of vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a nutrient responsible for helping our bodies absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which are fundamental for building bones. Our nerves, muscles, and immune system all depend on vitamin D, and studies have shown that it can also help to prevent infections, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the formation of cancer cells.

You can get your vitamin through sun exposure and certain foods. The problem is that it can be hard to obtain the recommended amount of this vitamin, since only a few foods contain it naturally. 

There is a discussion among scientists over the ideal levels of vitamin D for disease prevention and the daily recommended intake of the vitamin. But there are a few issues concerning this, it is hard to obtain this vitamin through food, for only some foods naturally contain it, and, for those who live in places with limited sunlight, it can be even harder to obtain it through that source.

According to nutritionist Laura Silva, who spoke to Veggly:

“We often receive exams from patients who, despite eating well, are still deficient in vitamin D and presenting symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, depressive symptoms. Especially after this long period of pandemic where sun exposure was much less than usual and necessary.”
That’s why it’s very important to keep an eye on your vitamin D levels.

  • Vitamin D deficiency and toxicity

The vitamin D deficiency is more likely to occur in people who cannot eat or restrict the consumption of dairy, eggs, and fish. For example, vegans and those that are lactose intolerant.

It’s also important to be aware of the amount of supplements ingested. The vitamin D toxicity can occur due to a high intake of supplements. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, it’s not advised to take vitamin D supplements that contain more than 4,000 IU — unless it’s being monitored by a doctor.

  • How to obtain the necessary amount of vitamin D on a vegan diet?

The National Institutes of Health recommends, for adults, 600-800 IU of vitamin D daily. It can be complicated to meet the daily requirement of vitamin D whilst on a vegan diet, but there are some foods and lifestyle choices that can help! Such as:

  1. Supplements

There are two types of vitamin D supplements: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). The first is made from mushrooms exposed to sunlight, but the latter can be plant based or not, so it’s vital to look out for this.

According to Laura, “Often relying only on food sources hasn’t been enough.
With supplementation we can put the appropriate amount and bioavailability to reach the ideal dose.”

  1. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the only naturally available source of vitamin D. They contain ergosterol, a substance that, when exposed to UV radiation, transforms into vitamin D2. The National Institutes of Health says that half a cup of white mushrooms that have been exposed to UV radiation can contain about 366 IU of vitamin D.

  1. Plant-based milk

Some plant based milks (such as almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, cashew milk) are fortified with vitamin D. One cup can contain 25% of the daily amount recommended. The only problem is that some brands don’t fortify their milks, so a double check may be necessary!

  1. Cereals

Popular cereals tend to be fortified with vitamin D. But a double check may also be necessary, for more natural brands tend to not fortify their foods. Granola and rolled oats also do not contain vitamin D.

  1. Orange juice

There are some brands of orange juice that fortify their products with vitamin D and calcium!

  1. Tofu

Some brands of tofu can offer, in their foods, up to 20% of the daily intake of vitamin D. The fortified tofu contains, besides vitamin D, vitamin B12 and omega 3 fats.

  1. Sunshine

The National Institutes of Health says that exposing skin to sunlight from 5 to 30 minutes a day, preferably in the morning, without SPF protection,without SPF protection, can get you the necessary amount of vitamin D. But it is necessary to pay attention to the amount (not enough or too much) of sunlight you are exposing yourself to and remember that different bodies have different vitamin D needs.

References:

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Healthy Vegan Diet – 7 Tips For A Healthy Long Life

Healthy Vegan Diet: Most of us turn vegan for the animals but when we think about our diet, we believe we are having a healthier alternative to an omnivorous diet, which is the case indeed! But there are a few things we still need to be careful about. Managing and controlling your diet is very important to get a fully balanced and healthy diet. This article will look at seven tips for living a healthy and long life as a vegan

Healthy Vegan Diet

1. Healthy Vegan Diet – Eat fresh

Buying fresh produce and eating non-processed food is probably one of the most important aspects of following a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables bought fresh is much more likely to have higher nutrients and are more beneficial to you.

Always look for fresh food wherever you live, as it is always better to eat locally grown food for freshness and for the environment. There are various vegan recipes with all kinds of foods, so you should never be scared to try out fresh local stuff.

2. Drink plenty of water

This should be an obvious one, but drinking sufficient amounts of water and staying hydrated is one of the most essential things in a healthy diet. Our body is mostly water, so we need plenty of water in a day to stay adequately hydrated. Most doctors recommend 8-10 glasses of water a day, which equals about 2 litres of water. When you are working in the heat or exercising a lot, the water intake may need to be higher, so it can vary from person to person.

3. Ample amount of protein

We all heard it: “you won’t get enough proteins” or “where do you get your proteins from?”. While this is arguably the most overrated issue people think when they hear about veganism, you still do need to make sure you are getting the right amount of protein in a healthy vegan diet. Legumes such as Peas, lentils and beans are an excellent substitute for meat as these foods are rich in protein; there is also soymilk available which contains a similar amount of protein as cow’s milk. Nowadays, there are also many vegan meat substitutes that can provide a person with the recommended amount of protein in a day.

4. All types of foods

Being a vegan doesn’t mean that you are limited in your choices when looking for food. Finding vegan food has become even easier with many healthy and delicious options available in today’s day and age. Many researchers have found that eating vegetables of all colours and different types of legumes means that a person is less at risk of deficiencies and malnutrition. Different types of vegetables have different nutritions that they provide. Having a more balanced diet is much more important than eating all food items that might be considered most healthy. For example, foods such as Kale and Spinach are seen as very healthy foods everyone should eat, but eating other foods such as nuts and legumes are also important as they provide a different set of nutrition.

5. Healthy Vegan Diet – Vitamin B12

Vegans are more likely to be B12 deficient than people who eat meat. A lack of B12 is a leading factor for strokes later in life and is harder to find in vegan diets. However, the daily B12 requirement isn’t high and can be found in fortified foods, which some manufacturers include to daily consumption items. There are also supplements available that can provide you with the amount of B12 needed. In summary, make sure you’re taking it but rest assured this is just another overrated issue of veganism.

6. Ample amount of calories and empty calories

Eating the right amount of food is also important to receive all the calories you need for a day. It is more common for people who eat less to end up with vitamin deficiencies and feel weak. This doesn’t mean that you have to overeat; just eat enough. It’s also important to avoid empty calories such as sugar, as they provide close to no nutritional value. Instead of sugary foods, it’s better to go for naturally sweet foods such as fruits as they are much more healthier and more beneficial for you. Eliminating sugar completely isn’t necessary, but it should be avoided.

7. Regular exercise

Lastly, a part of every healthy diet is being regularly active and exercising regularly. Proper exercise helps you stay fit and is linked with less chance of heart disease. When exercising or working out, protein consumption is essential, luckily we know we don’t need animal products for proteins. On top of the health benefits, even the smallest amount of exercise, such as walking every day, has many health benefits.

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