Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet: Simple Guide

Quick note: everyone’s body is different—this isn’t medical advice. But if you’re curious about the feel-good perks people report when they add more plants, here’s a clear, realistic overview.

Heart-Happy Eating

Plant-forward meals tend to be lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber. That combo can help keep LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in check and support overall heart health.

Steadier Energy & Blood Sugar

Beans, whole grains, fruits, and veggies offer slow-release carbs plus fiber. Many folks notice fewer afternoon crashes and more consistent energy.

Weight Goals (Without Dieting)

High-fiber foods are naturally filling, so you feel satisfied with fewer calories. Shift your plate toward plants and let volume do the work.

Digestion & Gut Health

Fiber feeds the good gut bugs. Translation: better regularity and a happier tummy over time.

Everyday Inflammation Support

Colorful plants bring antioxidants and polyphenols—the tiny helpers that support recovery from workouts and everyday stress.

We all know what you put into your body will determine your overall well being. One way to help you function at top level is eating a plant-based diet. Many of our ancestors survived on plant-based diets and have reaped the health benefits. If you are wondering how a vegan diet can improve your health, here are some common themes.

Heart Health

Lower cholesterol has been common among many people who follow a vegan lifestyle. Why is that? Vegans don’t eat meat or dairy which are foods that often lead to higher cholesterol. Lower cholesterol can help prevent heart attacks, heart disease and strokes. 

Lower Cancer Risk 

It’s a little scary when you are driving and you look up to see a highway billboard that says “Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer,” which was a campaign that the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine sponsored in 2012. Recently more organizations have been increasingly vocal about the harmful effects of eating meat. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015 put out a press release that said red meat and processed meats are “probably carcinogenic,” noting that research has linked it primarily to colorectal cancer but also to prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. The World Health Organization also supports this recommendation by the IARC and encourages people to reduce red meat from their diets. 

Weight Loss

While vegan diets are not all the same, many people tend to lose weight from them because they are eating more vegetables and fruits and taking in less calories compared to a high-fat diet. Thanks to fiber, vegan diets tend to make people full which leads to less eating or fewer calories. Several studies have found that people who follow plant-based diets generally have lower body weights or BMI’s compared to non vegans. 

As people get more educated about food and animal cruelty, the good news is more companies are taking notice. The global vegan food market size was valued at $12.69 billion in 2018, and The Vegan Society said between 2017 and 2019, retail sales of plant-based meat grew 31%, while total US retail meat sales grew just 5%. Also the consumption of plant-based milk increased by 61% while consumption of cow's milk decreased by 22%. 

An alternative to cow’s milk is almond milk, which goes well with Southern Roots’ vegan chocolate chip cookies. Make sure to follow us on social and tag us at @SouthernRootsBiz.

 

How to Start (Keep It Easy)

• Breakfast: oatmeal with fruit, or tofu scramble with veggies.
• Lunch: grain + greens + beans bowl; add a tasty sauce.
• Dinner: do your usual recipe, swap the protein (lentils, plant crumbles, jackfruit, mushrooms).
• Dining out: ask for no dairy, extra veg; bowls and tacos are easy wins.

 

Dessert That Fits the Plan

Our bakes are dairy-free and egg-free so everyone at the table can enjoy dessert—no disclaimer needed. Browse best sellers, or make it a moment with naked cakes.