Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular in today’s environmentally friendly world. Every once in a while, someone will try going vegetarian for a time to see how it feels. In many cases, they find that it suits their body and philosophy just right. That’s how a lot of vegans start out, but it’s not where the story ends. Being vegan is more of a lifestyle choice than it is a dietary shift, though most people don’t see it as such. There are a lot of misconceptions that surround veganism and its aspects, and it’s time to debunk them.

It’s just about cutting out the meat

It’s true that vegans will avoid meat, but this is an aspect of the lifestyle people put too much emphasis on. It’s not just about getting rid of meat and dairy products from one’s diet, it’s an entire philosophy that affects everyday activities, including food consumption. When you go vegan, you’re tacking on all of these responsibilities at once.

Everything from the clothes we wear to the food we eat can come from unethical sources. If a living animal is harmed to create these things, it doesn’t seem morally right to use or benefit from them. While you may not be holding the knife or the shears, by buying these things, you’re allowing the propagation of cruel methods.

The avoidance of exploitation of animals is what veganism is all about, and this is something that can affect just about everything in your day-to-day life. Eating plant-based food is just a small part of it.

Veganism is unhealthy

People often parrot the idea that veganism is an inherently unhealthy way to live. This is attributed to the fact that certain foods contain some pretty essential elements that our bodies need to function properly. It’s not quite as simple as most people make it out to be.

While meat, dairy, and fish are rich in nutrients that help our bodies grow and develop, they aren’t absolutely essential. More importantly, these nutrients aren’t exclusively found within animal and fish products. There’s certainly a risk in getting a nutritional deficiency or two, but this risk is severely mitigated when you compensate with the right supplements and foodstuffs.

Contrary to popular belief, vegans don’t just eat vegetables alone. The vegan diet can be pretty complex and often contain special fruits, nuts, grains, and many more. Vegan food can also replace most of the common foodstuffs people eat every day. There’s even vegan cheese available, which isn’t made from typical dairy products. There’s a lot more variety than you might expect of vegan food, which is precisely why so many individuals are turning to this philosophy of their own accord.

Vegans are pushy and annoying

It’s not exactly fair to throw veganism under the bus this way. While there might be a vocal minority of vegans that push their lifestyle onto others or try to guilt-trip them into changing, this is definitely the exception, rather than the rule. You have to consider that this kind of behavior is common in all lifestyles that differ somewhat from the norm. The good nature of veganism just provides a platform for those that might abuse it to try to influence other people. The vast majority of vegans are simply trying to live their life according to their principles, without trying to change or “convert” others. While encouragement is always there, it’s hardly ever aggressively shoved in peoples’ faces.

Vegan diets leave you weak

It’s no secret that people don’t exactly have the best view of veganism and those who adhere to it. In many cases, the root cause of this is the view that a vegan diet doesn’t supply your body with enough nutrients to keep it healthy and strong. There’s a pervasive view of vegans as being frail and relatively weak, even though this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The most oft-mentioned essential nutrient that should be lacking is none other than the common protein. A lack of animal products seems like it would decrease your protein intake, but that shouldn’t be the case with a healthy vegan diet. There’s no shortage of protein-rich vegetables and legumes that would satisfy the average vegan’s daily protein needs. Let’s not forget about grains and nuts, which also pack quite the punch with proteins.

Even if you don’t enjoy these options, there are tons of ways to supplement protein intake, whether you’re a vegan or not. Finding an organic protein powder that suits your diet isn’t such a difficult task anymore. Vegans can enjoy having more than enough protein to go around. This can help with diets that need to be adapted to increased physical training and exercise. It would be hard to differentiate between a bodybuilder that’s sticking to a regular diet versus one that is on a vegan diet. The results remain the same.

It’s not affordable

When you get everything else out of the way, money starts being an issue. Veganism is often thought of as a “rich man’s” lifestyle. If you’re able to avoid all the essential meats and dairy products, you must be able to afford some pretty interesting foods to compensate. The truth is far from it, as vegan diets aren’t particularly expensive or difficult to maintain. What you see at restaurants doesn’t reflect the real price of vegan food. You can make just about any vegan meal on a budget, as long as you are adept enough at cooking. A few spices here and there make a real difference, but the core foodstuffs remain cheap.

Conclusion

There are lots of harmful and untrue stereotypes that surround the vegan lifestyle. Debunking them isn’t a matter of making veganism more popular or widespread, it’s just about telling the truth. If someone wants to try out a vegan lifestyle, these stereotypes will only hold them back. It’s important that there are no lies or misconceptions that influence their decision.

You have decided that you want to conceive and intend to plan your actions accordingly. Getting pregnant involves mental, emotional, and physical preparation to ensure the health and safety of the baby. And this pregnancy involves your partner too, as both of you have to be well and ready.

The physical aspect of preparing yourself for conception is a challenge within a challenge. Depending on your current condition, you may have to adapt or modify your behavior to make room for healthy choices.

So what do you expect when you want to expect?

Consult Your Doctor before and during Pregnancy

baby

Mayo Clinic recommends women, along with their partners, trying to conceive to go on a preconception appointment that covers a tall order of critical issues relating to fertility and more:

• Birth control
• Vaccines, especially if you are up-to-date
• Medications or supplements
• Chronic conditions
• Health history (yours and your family’s)
• Age
• Previous pregnancies
• Weight ideal for conception
• Lifestyle

This visit to the doctor sets you up for realistic and deliberate planning for your pregnancy. As you conceive successfully, you have to undergo ultrasound scans to monitor the growth of your baby. The ultrasound transducer typically glides over the abdomen to perform the scan. You can look into what ultrasound transducers that hospitals and clinics use here.

Go Easy on Coffee

A study reveals that there’s little association between coffee intake and fertility or achieving pregnancy. However, the study finds that consuming 300 milligrams of caffeine every day during early pregnancy is tied to a greater risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB). To be on the safe side, limit your coffee intake to less than 200 milligrams a day or a 12-ounce cup, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

What about herbal tea?

It may be generally safe for you to drink tea products while waiting to conceive. Still, consult with your medical practitioner regarding the consumption of such products and their effect on your fertility, if any.

A study notes that consuming more than four cups of green tea a day leads to low serum folate levels during the early stage of pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects (NTD), and tea consumption may increase such risk.

Eat Healthy and Right

You may have to lose or gain weight to get pregnant. What’s important is to achieve this ideal weight prior to pregnancy.

Thus, eat a balanced meal by doing these:

• Cut back on junk food, empty calories, and high-sugar foods.
• Include fruits, vegetables, and grains in your meal plan.
• Take vitamins and mineral supplements, including folic acid.

Ask your doctor about specific restrictions or inclusions to your diet.

Move Around

Exercise plays a role in improving fertility and helps you manage or control your weight for pregnancy. According to the Fertility Society of Australia (FSA), obese women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but exercise regularly can increase their frequency of ovulation. That then leads to regular menstrual cycles and higher chances of conceiving.

Per FSA, do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity that includes brisk walking and dancing every day.

Can you travel during the preconception stage?

Traveling itself can influence the levels of melatonin and cortisol. That, in turn, affects your monthly cycle. The fluctuations in the levels of those hormones can disrupt the window of fertility. You may have to scale back on traveling that can unduly stress you and mess up with your cycle. Instead, bank on sleep and rest.

Abstain from or Quit Drinking, Smoking, and Using Drugs

Medical experts always warn both men and women about consuming cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs and its effects on the unborn baby.

• Alcohol: the substance can interfere with ovulation and may make it difficult for women to get pregnant. Alcohol can also decrease men’s sperm count.
• Smoking: it can damage the eggs and cause miscarriages. Aside from lowering the sperm count on men, cigarettes have been linked to sluggish sperm motility.
• Drugs: they can cause hormonal imbalance that leads to fertility issues. If your partner chronically smokes marijuana, then the sperm count and development of the sperm also take a hit.

Thus, you need to abstain or refrain from taking any such substances leading to and during pregnancy. You must also avoid environmental toxins, such as those from pollutants that can interfere with the baby’s development.

You can refer to this ultimate guide to flush drug toxins out of your body and pass a drug test if you or your partner needs to take one for the workplace. The key takeaway is that you have options to ensure you are clean months or so before you plan to get pregnant.

Follow these tips to physically prepare for conception, and coordinate your efforts with your doctor every step of the way.

First things first, the goal of losing weight is something personal to everybody.

Sure, there are plenty of health and wellbeing benefits if you do decide to lose weight. But if you choose not to, that is just fine too!

However, if you do wish to do something about those extra pounds this year and have no clue where you should start, you are not alone.

You’d be surprised to know that a quarter of people in the US who resolve to change different aspects of their lives for the better this New Year will also be hoping to lose weight. And that means they are also going to hope for cookie-cutter solutions – fast weight loss alternatives, fad diets, quick fat burn exercises, etc.

You see, the thing is, losing weight successfully and without suffering any adverse side effects is something frightfully complicated.

There is a lot of dedication, will power and commitment attached to losing weight, not just following a strict diet. Anybody can go on a diet; a few can stick to it. Remember, this is something long-term that is you want to bring about a positive change in your life truly.

Top 6 things to always keep in mind when you start any particular diet

Stay realistic

It is good to be determined and committed to attaining a goal, such as weight loss. However, what is equally vital to achieving that goal is being realistic.

The ability to effectively lose weight is directly proportional to personal honesty. Always make sure that your weight loss goals are realistic and in tandem to your lifestyle.

What that means is you will never have the time to cook a diet-conscious meal every night. And that is especially a truism if you don’t like spending the on standing in front of your stove.

As per a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was identified that many diet relapsers did lose weight by going on fast or by taking fat loss supplements. However, the same study also discovered that those relapsers were able to maintain their weight loss in the long term.

A good workaround to staying committed yet comfortable is to cook for two nights any day of the week and ordering healthy options for the rest of the week.

Moreover, it is also crucial that you stay honest when it comes to your food preferences. If you don’t like to eat quinoa to lose weight, don’t. Go for something that suites your taste buds.

2. Get in-tune with your inner motivation

It is one thing to jump on a weight-loss bandwagon with a free gym pass and then quitting a week into your routine. To stay consistent, you have to first intrinsically realize why it is that you want to lose weight.

Knowing why you are setting a goal will help you stick to the pathways that lead towards a positive outcome.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Why do you want to get into shape?
• How are you going to feel once you lose weight?
• Would accomplishing your goals make your loved ones happy?

Jot down your answers in a notebook and keep reminding yourself!

3. Go for a dietary plan that suits you and your lifestyle

Don’t get sucked into new diet fads – those so-called magical tips and ingredients to melt fat. There is no such thing as a secret to lose weight. The only secret is to understand what suits you.

The best diet is one that you can comfortably accommodate in your lifestyle while giving you all the nourishment you need to function normally.

Don’t look at food as just means to curb your calories – encourage yourself to eat healthier foods overall. Go for more wholesome foods, minimize your daily sugar intake, balance your calories, etc.

Practicing moderation is a heck of a way to stay healthy and lose weight at the same time rather than trying and forcing yourself to stick to a strict meal plan each day.

4. Don’t rush anything!

Sure, you may experience rapid weight loss. However, keep in mind that this is very short-term and is challenging to sustain. Slow and gradual weight loss far outweighs melting your fat as fast as you can.

That is because taking things slowly will enable you to get used to your routine. Losing half to two pounds every week is normal. But don’t get too worked up about numbers – practice moderation and consistency.

Gradually change your habits, start making time to go to the gym – you don’t have to go every day, every alternate day is fine.

5. Remember not to get too caught up in just the food you consume

It is effortless to concentrate on what just what you are consuming day in and day out. However, losing weight more sustainably requires a couple of other elements as well.

For example, hire a personal health coach if you can join a supportive community, etc. You see, without good moral support, you will never be able to get the knowledge that is vital to designing a long-term eating plan you can sustain.

6. Keep fueling your resolve

It is essential to understand that your weight loss journey can be exciting, and at the same time, it can also be a total letdown.

When you slowly lose the motivation to attaining a goal, it can knock the socks off you. This is one of the most challenging parts of losing weight.

To maintain and sustain your weight loss, you are going to have fuel your resolve and keep moving forward!

Just keep on eating healthy, you can have a cheat day once or twice a month – but be sure never to quite your physical training sessions.

The bottom line

As you take the first steps in your weight loss journey, endeavor and fight your desires, never forget to be your cheerleader. Don’t neglect self-care! Remember to reward yourself in full when you achieve a goal. But more importantly, never compare yourself to anyone else!