Post: Is Eating Vegan Healthier For You?

With research showing that eating too much red meat may increase your risk for health conditions, including heart disease and cancer, plant-based diets have become increasingly popular. According to a study , the percentage of Americans who followed a plant-rich dietary pattern more than doubled between 2012 and 2022, from 12% to almost 26%. While limiting processed foods and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet has shown to improve your health, what does it mean to go vegan? And is eating vegan healthier?

“Being vegan means that you’re not only cutting out all meat, but all products from animals, such as dairy and eggs,” says Alexa Bickhart, an advanced II dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network. “While there are plenty of potential health benefits to a vegan diet, it’s not for everyone; it requires thought and planning, and you have to be more intentional about getting enough of specific nutrients.”

Health Matters spoke with Alexa to find out how to transition to a vegan diet while prioritizing overall health and well-being. Alexa Bickhart What is a vegan diet?
A vegan diet excludes animal products, including meat, fish, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Ideally, it would emphasize whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and legumes. However, any diet that avoids all animal products would be considered a vegan diet.

What are the benefits of going vegan?
Some people may become vegan for the health benefits. There is evidence that a low-fat vegan diet may promote weight loss as well as other health benefits, including heart health, insulin sensitivity, and managing type 2 diabetes .

According to the American Heart Association, eating less meat decreases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers.

Others may become vegan for the environmental benefits, as plant-based eating has shown to be better for the environment than animal-based diets. Of course, others may choose to become vegan due to their own personal preferences, values, or religion.

Is eating vegan healthier than a diet that includes animal […]

Is Eating Vegan Healthier For You?