Vegan and vegetarian diets have been supported by the major international health institutions as healthy and acceptable. However, one of the biggest concerns about them is the lack of proteins, more precisely those of animal origin. A balanced diet, one containing all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbs that our bodies need – and in the right amount –, is one of the basic requirements for staying healthy and fit. However, most of us are too busy or don’t have enough knowledge to continuously prepare the right meals.
Filling the Gaps
The abovementioned reasons are why it’s recommended for vegetarians and especially vegans to use dietary supplements. People on a plant-based diet, are very likely to be missing some of the crucial nutrients for the body. Since the best source of protein is animal meat and dairy, it’s strongly advised to use raw vegan proteins in addition to other types of supplements, regardless of whether you are simply trying to stay healthy, or you want to lead an active life, exercise, build muscle or lose weight.
The Purpose of Protein
Proteins are formed by chains of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids, out of which 12 can be synthesised, or produced, by our bodies thanks to fats and carbohydrates that we consume through our diets. The rest of the proteins, can’t be produced by our bodies, and we can only get these essential proteins through the food we consume. Proteins are crucial for our bodies. They are one of the nutrients essential for our bodies, helping them stay healthy, strong, repair themselves, produce energy, and so on. In other words, they are essential for our survival.
Many consider that vegans can technically get enough proteins from their plant-based diet. However, it’s also a fact that some of the essential amino acids are missing in the protein sources that vegans consume, or they are too low and can’t satisfy the necessary daily requirements. This is why vegans can benefit from vegan protein supplements, which come in many different forms.
Proteins are also very important for athletes, bodybuilders, and anyone who is physically active. One of the many roles of proteins in our bodies is to protect the muscles. When we are exercising, we put our muscles through a lot. Consuming the right amounts of proteins will help your body repair, keep healthy, as well as build and strengthen your muscles. Basically, the bigger the muscle mass you have, the more proteins you will need to consume.
So, as the building blocks of our tissues and organs, proteins also help our bodies recover faster after injuries. However, these aren’t the only reason why people who want to lose weight, lose some belly fat or build muscles need a diet that’s rich in proteins. So, if you are physically active, raw vegan proteins can be a great help in achieving the desired results. For one, proteins help temporarily boost our metabolism. More importantly, they help reduce hunger and appetite levels, because they make you feel full, more than fat and carbohydrates.
Of course, it’s important to remember that supplements should never be used as a replacement for food. Even though vegan protein supplements can suppress your hunger a little bit, and help you restrain yourself from reaching for the snacks, you still need to get most of the necessary nutrients from food. Supplements should be taken strictly as an addition to your diet.
Importance of Other Vegan Supplements
If you are trying to become more physically active to lose weight there are also vegan supplements made specifically for that. Vegan supplements are completely free of animal-by products and they don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients, so they are great for anyone who is devoted to buying strictly cruelty-free products.
Regardless of whether you are a professional bodybuilder, an athlete, or you what to go to the gym or run to lose weight or simply to keep active, healthy and fit, there are many types of vegan supplements that are made to help you achieve your objectives. They are designed to provide you with all the nutrients that your body needs to burn calories and provide you with the energy you need to exercise. Typically, all fat-burning supplements, also called simply fat burners, regardless of whether they are vegan or not, contain amino acids and fatty acids, as well as extracts from plants or fruits, caffeine, etc.
Other Considerations
There are some people who can avoid temptations like sugary desserts, soft drinks and different unhealthy snacks. But if you, like many others, aren’t one of those people, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. However, even though you may allow yourself the occasional treat, you should try to only consume them in moderate quantities. Moreover, you can also try always carrying a healthy vegan protein bar, that will satisfy your need to snack, and help you avoid being hungry.
While balanced diet and exercising are crucial not only for losing weight or building muscles but also for a healthy lifestyle, they are hard enough to achieve your goals and stay healthy. Apart from staying physically active, eating healthy and taking your vegan supplements, to burn fat you also need to hydrate, sleep regularly, be rested, etc. Another important thing is reducing stress levels.
