If you are a diet-conscious person, you might be aware of the changing dynamics of diet plans. Every other month, there is a new diet plan out, which claims a promising weight loss along with health benefits. While some are just scams, some diet plans really work out. A pegan diet plan is one of them. It is a unique blend of vegan and meat options, that’ll cover the supply of protein along with carbs and fats necessary for the body. So, what exactly is the pegan diet? And is it really ok to follow this diet? What kind of foods are allowed and what needs to be avoided during this diet; this article is all about the pegan diet.
What is a pegan diet?
A highly nutritional blend of vegan and paleo diet (pegan); which people thought was never possible. A medical doctor, Mark Hyman put up the idea of this diet in which certain food items have been brought together to improve the health conditions during a diet by balancing blood sugar and reducing inflammation.
A pegan diet consists of 75 percent of plant-based foods and 25 percent of lean meats. It improves food sustainability and incorporates clean and healthy eating habits. There is no specific meal plan, timings, portion size, or a particular cooking technique to follow the pegan diet. It should be incorporated as a lifestyle.
What to eat and what not to eat in a pegan diet?
As interesting as it sounds, the combination of paleo and vegan diet, we need to be sure what components of each diet are recommended for the combination.
What to eat?
Following food items can be consumed while following a pegan diet:
- Low-glycemic vegetables
- A lot of fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Plant-based oils
- Lean meat- grass-fed mostly including beef, lamb, bison
- Chicken and eggs
- Fish
- Dairy alternatives without processed sugar
What not to eat?
While it may sound like combining vegan and meat-based food will give you the liberty to eat anything in this category. But that’s not the case and there are some food restrictions that you need to follow:
- Pure dairy products like cheese, yogurt, cow’s milk
- Grains
- Legumes, especially high in starch content
- Sugar/ sweeteners
- Refined oils
- Food additives
Benefits of a pegan diet
Following such a diverse diet plan surely will get you some extra benefits along with weight loss as well:
1. Improves physical fitness and growth
Due to the large proportion of fruit and vegetables, it supplements your body with fiber, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for better functioning and growth.
2. Prevention of diseases
The plant-based compounds act as a defensive agent against inflammatory diseases and oxidative stress.
3. Improves the heart’s health
The consumption of fish, nuts, and seeds supplies your body with healthy fats that improve the health of your heart.
4: Improved diet quality
The continuous consumption of healthy meals improves the diet quality.
Any drawbacks?
Although this diet is highly nutritious and provides amazing benefits, there are a few drawbacks as well:
- Research has conflicts on the evidence of its nutrition
- It might be difficult to follow a mixed diet in social settings which are specific for vegan or meat lovers
- Some studies claim that it might cause some potential nutrient deficiencies due to restrictions on the consumption of grains and dairy products
- It is an expensive diet, that might not be easy for everyone to follow
- It also lacks accessibility to high-end food products that need to be consumed to follow this diet
Conclusion
A pegan diet is a combination of meat and whole foods like fruits and vegetables. While people might associate some drawbacks with it, it’s quite a healthy one to follow. Along with weight loss options, it also offers amazing health benefits which makes it a sustainable option for a long-term healthy lifestyle. While it offers variety in the diet, It might sound too restrictive to some people. The only way to find out if it works for you or not is by following a diet for a week or two. Your body will answer you itself if it’s meant for it or not.
I look up to fitness as a lifestyle and love to pen down about it. I have 2 years of experience in content writing and I am here to share my research and knowledge on health and fitness.
