5 Things That Happen When You Switch to a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet (#4 Might Surprise You)

There are many reasons why people choose to “go vegan”. Some of which are weight loss, the desire to have more energy, to reduce the risk of certain diseases, etc. The list goes on! Here are 5 things that happen when you stop eating meat and fuel up with a plant-based diet.

1. You reduce inflammation

If you consume animal products and other processed foods, chances are that your body has increased levels of inflammation. Plant-based diets have natural anti-inflammatory properties because of its high levels of: fiber, antioxidents, and phytonutrients. They are also significantly lower in endotoxins (toxins released from bacteria found in the presence of animal fat).

2. You’ll lower your cholesterol

Whole-food, plant-based diets tend to have plummeting effects on cholesterol because they tend to be lower in saturated fat and contain zero amounts of cholesterol. Rich in soluble fiber, a vegan diet also plays a huge role in lowering blood cholesterol. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol and bile acids in the intestines, promoting their excretion.

3. You WILL get the right amount of protein

One of the nutrients that is often over-consumed is; protein (i.e. animal protein). In turn, the excess is stored in the body as fat or transitions to waste. The protein found in animal fat (when eaten in excess) contributes to weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. On the other hand, plant-based protein serves to protect us from multiple chronic diseases. Overall, though plant proteins have lower amounts of essential amino acids than animal proteins, they have distinct advantages and promotes over all bodily health.

4. You just might smell better

Okay okay, this statement is subjective–let’s just say: your body odor changes (perhaps for the better). Body odor is affected by what is emitted through your sweat glands. Sweat glands not only help cool you off, they also help release toxins. Skin is the largest organ of the body and is used help eliminate unwanted waste by sweating adapting a whole-food, plant-based diet, you will no longer consume such “waste”.

FUN FACT: Diary products and meat putrefy in the digestive tract, then go on to release an overload of “unfriendly” bacteria and toxic byproducts into the large intestine and blood stream.

5. You’ll have better digestion…just maybe not at first

At First…

As your digestive system adjusts to taking in more fiber, you might experience some increased irregularity and bloating.

Occasionally, in the very beginning, if someone is greatly increasing their fiber consumption, they may be gassy, bloated, or have changes in their bowel movements that make them 'too fast' or 'too slow'. Sometimes tweaking the amount of water consumed, certain fruits, can help this situation, and it often is a temporary issue."

If you're consuming more fiber without also consuming more water, it can actually make constipation worse. So if you're trying out a plant-based diet, be sure to up that water consumption along with all that new, beneficial fiber.

But, it gets better

This is a common experience - many people on a healthy vegan diet experience more regular bowel movements because animal products like meat and dairy are especially constipating for our systems. In fact, three-quarters of us actually lack the enzyme to properly digest cow’s milk. An estimated 98 percent of Southeast Asians, 90 percent of Asian-Americans, 74 percent of Native-Americans, 70 percent of African-Americans, and the majority of Jewish, Latino, and Indian people all suffer from lactose intolerance. So even if you don't think you're lactose intolerant, if you're part of one of these groups especially, you're likely to notice a marked change in your digestion within weeks of cutting out dairy.

You can also expect other digestive benefits that go along with eating a high-fiber, plant-based diet like: Easier-to-pass stools and better colon function, and thus, healing of hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. A change in the microbiome organisms to more Firmicutes-type, beneficial bacteria occurs within weeks. As a result, less inflammation is found in the colon wall and throughout the body.

Ok, so after reading what may happen after switching to a whole-food, plant-based diet, you’re ready to get your feet wet. First thing’s first…Let’s Set up your Vegan Pantry!