Experience improved health and vitality, while knowing that your way of life is earth-friendly andcruelty free! Read on below to learn more....

The number of people making the jump to a vegan lifestyle around the world is growing at an impressive pace, and it's easy to understand why. Many experience improved health and vitality, while knowing that their way of life is earth-friendly. You may be considering a vegan diet because you want to reduce your impact on the environment. Alternatively, you might want to feel more energized, or loose weight in a healthy way. Perhaps, all of the above! Whatever is driving you, the first step is simply getting started.

 

Many imagine that a vegan diet is complicated, or that vegan food is boring, but this couldn't be further from the truth. With a pinch of understanding and a dash of know-how you will quickly find eating vegan to be simple, nutritious, and delicious! So, where to begin? Here at VIKTORIA Bags, we love to support our community on our shared vegan journey. With this in mind, we've put together three foundational tips to help you begin!

To give your body the gift of every nutrient it requires, variety is where the magic happens. Veggie-based dishes are loaded with vitamins and minerals, from Vitamin A through to Zinc! To feel truly nourished, aim to eat a colorful rainbow of different foods. For example, you can crunch on carrots for potassium, and purple cabbage for vitamin C! Go for a fabulous palette of different textures too, from satiating and nutrient dense grains like quinoa, to the most delicious nut oil dressings! The more your plate becomes the lobby of a party for your taste-buds, the more your vegan diet will reward you!

"We believe promoting an eco-friendly and cruelty free lifestyle truely makes an impact on the world for the better."

2. Opt For Natural, Whole, And Unrefined

Unfortunately, not all vegan foods are created equal, and those that have been highly processed will often act as diet saboteurs rather than allies! Processing and refining can often strip all the goodness out of food, and our bodies deserve better. What you can rely on is that buying plant based foods that are still as mother nature made them is a safe bet.  Exploring how to transform a plethora of fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, oils, legumes, herbs and spices in to tantalizing treats will be well worth the effort!

3. Cultivate A Great Understanding Of Your Macros And Your Micros

While a vegan diet offers endless options for nourishment, there are a few details to be extra aware of. Foods sourced from animals tend to be very nutrient dense, providing some things that our bodies really need more easily. Essential nutrients are those which our body can't make for themselves, and without animal products on your plate, you need to know where to get them! The terms “macros” refers to macro-nutrients – these include proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and our bodies need quite a lot of these. “Micros” is short for micro-nutrients – these things are just as important, but only required in small amounts. When it comes to vitamins and minerals, it doesn't take much because a little goes a long way!

 

Carbohydrate can be viewed a fuel for your inner furnace, and can be found in lots of fruits, grains and veggies. Excellent sources of vegan protein include beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains. Delicious and minimally processed products such as tofu, tempeh, hummus, and nut butters will hit the spot too! When it comes to fats, nuts, avocados, olives, and much more will help us meet our macro needs while unleashing the flavor potential of what we eat. Certain fats called essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are very important to include in our diet. Nuts and seeds will provide some, but a supplement maybe a great option if you want to make absolutely sure!

 

Micro-nutrients play all sorts of vital roles within our bodies, from the iron that our red blood cells need to shuttle oxygen to our cells, to the zinc required to keep our immune system strong. Some micro-nutrients are abundantly available in plant-based foods, while others area little harder to come by. Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Iron are all micro-nutrients that can be illusive. Fortified foods, such as fortified soy milk or cereal bars, can offer extra assistance in making sure our bodies have what they need.

 

Crucially, beginning a vegan diet can be viewed as starting a whole new relationship with how you nourish yourself. We guarantee you: the more you discover about what an extraordinary thing your body is, the more enjoyment you will reap from vegan living. With your diet down, VIKTORIA will be here to help you make sure your accessories align with your new adventure in vegan living!