consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms. Women who cut meat out of their diets have a much lower rate of breast cancer than women who have a higher meat consumption, and studies show that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to a vegan diet either stopped the progress of the cancer, or have even reversed the illness. Due to the natural reduction in saturated fats, and the increase in fibre, antioxidants, and essential nutrients found in most vegan diets, the implementation of a vegan diet can often have a dramatically positive impact on your health. Just check with your doctor first before making any significant changes to your diet – vegan or otherwise - to ensure it’s the right choice for you.
e-books online with incredibly well thought- out recipes available, so you’ll never have to worry about compromising on flavour. Often, one of the greatest challenges for vegans is dining out, however, we are lucky to have some incredible vegan restaurants on the Island, such as My Plum, My Duck and Stir It Up! (both located in Charlottetown), and you will even find that most other restaurants offer a variety of vegetarian options which can usually be made vegan – just ask your server, and if they’re unsure, get them to check with the chef. Veg PEI is another great resource, offering monthly vegan potlucks to keep you inspired, and there is even a handy Facebook group for “veggie” Islanders, highlighting some of the many lesser- known vegan and vegetarian treasures offered from tip to tip on PEI. These local resources are great for asking questions, looking for suggestions, sharing recipes, and connecting with like-minded individuals. There is a huge community – both locally and online - passionate about supporting this movement, available to help you along the way. So don’t be overwhelmed. If you decide to make the leap to veganism, you can always start slowly – one product at a time.
like Oreo cookies, many flavours of chips (Sweet Chili Doritos, for example), Jello vanilla pudding, Ritz crackers… you get the picture. Aside from that, many large companies now offer vegan versions of their regular products. Brands such as Becel margarine, Hellman’s mayonnaise, and Ben and Gerry’s ice cream, just to name a few. And there are also many amazing local brands to discover that can satiate your need for cheese, meat alternatives, creamy potato salad, and even Big Macs. Yes, I said Big Macs. Fresh Start Fauxmage, for example, offers luxurious vegan chese substitutes, and is available at a variety of locations. All this is not to say you should become vegan so you can eat junk food guilt-free. As with any lifestyle, you should eat a well- balanced diet high in nutrient-dense foods. Due to the make-up of a balanced vegan lifestyle, however, you may already have an advantage.
WHERE TO BEGIN?
You can easily start by changing the way you order your morning coffee, for example. Or, try cutting out red meat initially, and then phase out chicken and fish more slowly if that’s what works best for you. Start experimenting with meat alternatives like beans, tofu, nuts and nut butters, avocado, and hummous in your cooking. There are some great vegan blogs, YouTubers, and
HEALTHY BELLY
Studies have shown that a vegan diet reduces the overall risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and eliminating dairy
FALL 2018 www.pei-living.ca
25
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs