Why does it matter that we are getting fatter?  Well, my friends, because it is unhealthy and causes a wide spectrum of health problems.  More than 80% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are obese or overweight.  Overweight or obese people also have an increased incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, sexual & reproductive problems, thyroid conditions and some forms of cancer. 

Unfortunately, the instance of childhood obesity is also rising.  You only have to look around you in the supermarket aisles or take a look at your child’s school canteen menu to see why we have this problem. 

So, what can we do about it?

Dr Joel Fuhrman, author of Disease-Proof Your Child, states that, “the modern diet that most children are eating today creates a fertile cellular environment for cancer to emerge at a later age…In other words, childhood diets create adult cancers.”

What we put into our bodies will have a major impact on how well it runs.  At Vegan Era, we believe that a healthy, nutritious diet is the foundation of good health. 

It seems clear that most people understand this to some extent, as fad diets are becoming more popular by the minute.  However, fad diets are not the answer to long-term health and, more often than not, lack realistic goals and nutrition-dense programs. 

The most effective way to combat obesity is to modify your entire lifestyle, specifically your diet and your level of physical activity.  Most of us consume far too much of the oh-so-easy refined “foods”, foods that are high in saturated fats, trans-fats, sugars and over processed grains that are stripped of their nutrients; as well as leading a much more sedentary lifestyle. 

Switching to a healthy vegan diet is a great way to get your health back on track.  Most doctors and health organizations agree that people should increase their intake of fruits and vegetables and reduce their consumption of saturated fats.  Saturated fats are primarily found in animal products. 

According to The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the major killers – heart disease, cancer and stroke – have a dramatically lower incidence among people consuming primarily plant-based diets. 

A new study suggests that reducing the consumption of a protein found in fish and meat could slow the ageing process and increase life expectancy.  A report by the UK government’s independent advisory body on sustainability, the Sustainable Development Commission, have recommended that, in order to fight climate change and tackle the growing crisis of diet-related diseases, British consumers must cut down on meat and dairy produce, reduce their intake of processed foods and curb waste.

The benefits are endless!

Of course it’s also easy to be unhealthy on a vegan diet, if your diet consists of soy ice-cream, potato chips and Oreo cookies!  There are plenty of resources online, as well as books that can assist someone in transitioning to a healthy, plant-based diet.  Vegan Era have some starter packs on the home page for you to download for free if you require further information.  We are also getting close to completing our second Compassionate Cooking for a Vegan Era cookbook, so stay tuned for it’s release!  Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us if we can help you in any way. 

Be Love; Be Peace; Be Vegan.