Chances are, you already know about the vegan diet as well as the paleo diet. A vegan diet consists of consuming non-animal-based products, including meat, eggs, cheese, and the like. However, a paleo diet is centered around avoiding unhealthy fats, refined sugars, processed and packaged foods, and starches.
However, have you heard of the pegan diet? This vegan-paleo combination diet has its own dietary guidelines and potential benefits that make it unique. Check out these things you need to know about the pegan diet before considering going on a certain diet:
8. Unlike the vegan diet, the pegan diet incorporates animal protein.
The vegan diet is strict with anything pertaining to animals. This means, of course, no meat. However, this also means that you can’t consume other things that are produced with the help of animals: butter, cheese, sour cream, milk, and yogurt. Of course, how vegan one wants to go is their own personal choice.
The paleo, diet, however, does make use of animal products – but only select ones. With the pegan diet, about 25 percent of the diet consists of an animal protein that is lean and anti-biotic free. Any meats consumed should only be from grass-fed animals.
7. Going pegan may improve your sex drive.
The pegan diet has numerous health benefits. One of its benefits may be improving a low libido. The pegan diet is mainly composed of fruits and vegetables, making it, unlike the conventional diet that prioritizes meats and grains. In turn of proper nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables, your hormones can be better regulated.
As an example, consuming spinach can assist with better blood flow. As a result, spinach may assist with easier erections and better orgasms. Check out what other specific plants you should be consuming if you wish to boost your libido.
6. It can help you lose weight.
Before you opt for weight loss pills, giving the pegan diet a go may be the thing you need to lose weight. As mentioned, the pegan diet approves a plethora of fruits and vegetables as a basis for the diet. Plant-based foods are known to be low in calories, heavy in nutrients and antioxidants, and high in water content.
Apart from weight loss, the pegan diet has other health benefits being a mostly plant-based diet. Many fruits and vegetables are known to potentially reduce risks of cancer and improve some chronic conditions, according to research. Of course, the elimination of refined sugars and bad fats when going pegan may also count for the latter benefits.
5. You won’t have to worry about counting calories.
Many weight loss plans or diet plans, in general, ask you to count calories. Some diets even have a point value system; the more points you have, the closer you are to your limit. This makes going out to eat harder as you often have to ask for the nutritional menu for calorie amounts.
Similar to the GOLO diet, the pegan diet doesn’t require you to keep to a certain caloric limit. That said, the pegan diet has more freedom, and counting calories don’t have to be an option at all. But of course, one should still follow the calorie guidelines for their particular height, weight, gender, and age.
The nice thing about not counting calories – assuming you’re not consuming too much/little – is that you emphasize quality over quantity. Every good diet shouldn’t focus on caloric breakdown but rather the nutrients and variety that is offered.
4. You’ll have to avoid soy, legumes, and starchy vegetables.
One difficult aspect of the pegan diet is that you can’t have soy, legumes, or starchy vegetables. Soy is eliminated in part because it is highly processed. As for legumes, these contain anti-nutrients sometimes known to affect the absorption of other nutrients. Lastly, starchy vegetables contain higher carbs and increase the blood sugar quickly.
These aren’t to say that these foods are bad. In fact, they do provide a great source of protein and other nutrients. If eliminating these foods isn’t doable for you, a better recommendation would be to keep them at a low. Everyone has different energy needs, the ways in which they absorb nutrients, and the effects on their blood sugar.
For reference, soy products may include tofu, tempeh, soy milk, miso, and soy sauce. Legumes can include peas, beans, lentils, and nuts. Lastly, starchy vegetables include but are not excluded to potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, parsnips, squash, taro, yams, and beets.
3. Like the vegan diet, you can’t have dairy.
As mentioned, you can still have animal proteins on the pegan diet, but dairy is excluded. This rule is very much like the vegan diet. However, like the vegan diet, you can still consume vegan-friendly cheeses and milk, that is if they don’t have soy.
While more research has yet to be conducted, some research has suggested that dairy products may have harmful effects. However, one thing is for sure: dairy is harmful to those with lactose intolerances or other sensitivities.
2. Gluten isn’t your friend on the pegan diet.
Gluten is another product you are directed to cut out when on the pegan diet. Cutting out gluten completely can be hard considering it is a major component of the conventional diet. Sandwiches, pizzas, pastries, pastas, and burritos all contain gluten. Many of us consume gluten not just daily but multiple times a day!
Fortunately, there are pegan-friendly alternatives to gluten. Gluten-free burritos or pizzas, lettuce wraps, and zoodles (zucchini “noodles”) are a few of many options. Please be aware that some gluten-free options (e.g., cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza crust) contain starchy vegetables, which are not allowed.
1. Foods with healthy fats are focused on with the pegan diet.
For starters, there are such things as “healthy fats” and “unhealthy fats.” Usually on a diet, many try to avoid fats completely, but healthy fats are important for your overall health. Healthy or unsaturated fats you can consume on the pegan diet include avocados, fish, extra virgin olive oil, and eggs.
You’ll want to avoid these saturated or trans fats: fries, desserts, fried chicken, non-lean meats, high-fat dairy, and the like. These are the fats that contribute to weight gain, sluggishness, and that general yucky feeling after you eat them. They’re also bad for the digestion and not just inside, but also on the outside (e.g., acne, premature aging, etc.).
But before you try to say, “All fats are bad fats,” please check out this Harvard research. Good fats can contribute to lower risks of heart disease. Additionally, they are necessary to clot blood, for inflammation, and to move the muscles.
Conclusion
With the vegan and paleo diet have been known to benefit many, the pegan diet is another option that also has its benefits. Following the pegan diet in terms of consuming mostly plants can provide you more nutrients, unlike the conventional diet. Additionally, eliminating refined sugars, bad fats, and processed foods can aid with weight loss.
Think of he pegan diet as an overall healthy diet minus the addition of dairy products, soy, legumes, and starches. Going pegan means opting for only good-for-you foods, focusing on plant-based foods, and keeping animal protein to a healthy level.
