| Regardless of your reasoning, choosing to be Vegan is | | | | approximately 9%. |
| a true lifestyle change; it requires commitment beyond | | | | Fiber is important to Vegans because it is filling and it |
| words. People choose to be Vegan for a variety of | | | | works the body's many systems. Fiber has been |
| reasons. Some people do it because they feel the | | | | found to improve the circulatory system, the digestive |
| inhumane treatment of animals in the manufacturing of | | | | system, and to fight off some cancers and chronic |
| meats and by-products, like eggs or dairy, is wrong. | | | | diseases. In fact, research has even been conducted |
| Some people choose not to eat meat for religious | | | | regarding fibrous foods' positive affects on blood |
| reasons. And there are some people who believe it's a | | | | glucose levels and cholesterol. |
| healthier lifestyle. They feel the conventional Western | | | | Fiber can add bulk to any food, leaving a person |
| diets of the United States, usually filled with meat and | | | | feeling full and satisfied. Because some fiber is soluble, |
| dairy is unhealthy and can lead to obesity and other | | | | meaning it will dissolve in water, many Vegans choose |
| diseases. | | | | fiber foods that are a combination of soluble and |
| No matter the reason, Vegans must adjust their bodies | | | | insoluble, for example soybeans. Soybeans and soy |
| to habits that have been bred into the Western world | | | | products contain large amounts of fiber. |
| for centuries. Vegans must learn what true | | | | Research has shown that the amount of fiber you |
| nourishment is and how to go about living a truly | | | | need is based upon age and gender. Women |
| healthy Vegan lifestyle. | | | | between the ages of 19 and 50 will need |
| Because animal meat has always been the main | | | | approximately 25 grams of fiber per day, while men in |
| source for protein for many people, Vegans must | | | | this same age group will need at least 30 grams of |
| learn to find their protein from other sources besides | | | | fiber per day. For Vegans, the amount of fiber needed |
| meat. One of the highest sources of protein is that | | | | daily is even higher. A Vegan needs to add another 5 |
| found in soybeans and soy products. | | | | grams of fiber to his or her diet daily. |
| In fact, protein found in soy can be as high as protein | | | | It's important that Vegans also receive other vitamins |
| found in many meats. In general, soybeans have more | | | | and minerals in their food. Eating a healthy variety of |
| protein than any other bean and lots of other edible | | | | foods that includes lots of vegetables and high protein |
| plants. Protein from soy is also easily digested and can, | | | | and fiber meals will aid in nourishing the Vegan body. |
| in fact, help the digestive system in many ways. | | | | Eating healthy foods high in good protein and fiber and |
| Research has been conducted and studies found that | | | | low in fats will also have affects on long-term health. |
| protein in soy foods can lower cholesterol by | | | | |