Q&A: Vegans: What Positive “Side Effects” Have Occured Because of Your Diet?

Question by Marcella: Vegans: what positive “side effects” have occured because of your diet?
My skin is crap. Literally. Without makeup you can see my giant pores, nonstop acne (that hasn’t stopped since the 6th grade), and even small wrinkles forming under my eyes. Even my hands look dusty and dry. My thighs are like a purplish color, like you can see the veins right underneath my skin. My hair is so damaged from heat. I stopped straightening my hair about a month ago but it still looks horrendous. Each strand is its own length because it’s so ripped apart. And of course, to top it off, I’m about 15 pounds overweight (I’m 15, 5’4’’, and 150 pounds).
I’ve been a vegetarian for about 3 years now and I’m thinking about trying to go vegan over Christmas break. I didn’t notice any changes in my body after going vegetarian, to be honest. But I’ve heard that going vegan the right way can dramatically improve your health and natural beauty.
Over break I’m giving myself a break from cosmetics and such. I’m letting my hair air dry, and never letting it near heat. I’m not going to wear any makeup, to give my face a break from concealer and eye makeup. I’m hoping to lose a few pounds before I go back to school so I can start off a new semester in a good mood.
Vegans, what (if any) good “side effects” have you noticed after going vegan? I really plan to be strict with the foods I eat and pay close attention to nearly every nutrient to make sure I’m balanced in everything. I need some good evidence that shows veganism can help improve my health and natural beauty. Any help?

Best answer:

Answer by zephyr.hawk
Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I’ve been vegan for 2 years and have had nothing but benefits – although when I started I did have to deal with cravings for a few weeks and then they went away.
My diet consists mostly of raw vegetables, particularly greens in various forms – salads, blended soups, raw zucchini “pasta” with homemade sauces, etc etc. Sometimes steamed or lightly cooked. Also plant oils, soaked nuts and seeds and homemade nut milks, sprouts, Essene bread, sea vegetables, and sometimes some sweet fruit or cooked grains/legumes. Aside from food I also do a bit of light exercise each day – walks/runs and occasional bikerides and swims – and a bit of meditation.
This is very different from when I started as a vegan. I think that a lot of vegans eat a diet that is effectively very similar to the typical Western diet in what it includes – processed packaged foods, cooked oils, sugars, mock meats, soy isolates etc – and that when you replace these things with wholefoods your health can get a lot better.
One thing I’ve noticed is that my tastebuds are more sensitive than they used to be, and all my previous dislikes for particular vegetables or nuts have vanished! Another huge thing is that I went from getting colds/flu 4 times a year to less than once a year.
My digestion has really improved and I don’t get stomach upsets, I’ve also had quite a few comments that I look much healthier than I used to.
I really think wholefoods is great for helping you to feel and look much better. Have you tried raw cuisine? I know a lot of people who swear by it.
Green smoothies are a miracle recipe – check out http://www.rawfamily.com/green-smoothie and
http://freegreensmoothierecipes.com/recipes/

Here are some great websites:

www.rawguru.com/
www.rawfoodtalk.com/
www.rawfamily.com/
www.greensmoothie.com/
www.phmiracleliving.com/
articlesofhealth.blogspot.com/
www.sproutman.com/

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