By Shelby Richardson
Columnist

Making healthier choices in what you eat is a common New Year’s resolution. One option for people to consider is veganism.
Vegans don’t eat meat. However, they differ from vegetarians by also not eating any products that come from animals. This includes milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and, yes, ice cream.
Vegans also steer clear from  leather, make-up, or any product that contains animal by-products or may be tested on animals.
Finding food for a vegan diet is not difficult. According to PETA, you can find most vegan products at local stores.
A vegan diet consists of grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Combining these foods can give vegans many more dishes to keep the diet interesting.
Many substitutes can be used for the foods restricted by the diet, including soy milk and tofu instead of milk and meat.There are also substitutes for everyday foods, such as hot dogs, ice cream, cheese and mayonnaise.
Vegans get protein through beans, nuts, and soy products. Many vegetables contain large amounts of protein that sustain a healthy diet without meat.  Vegans can actually consume more food than non-vegans and still maintain an extremely healthy diet. The more vitamins in a person’s diet, the better their immunity to illness.
It’s possible because vegetables, fruits, and beans are low in calories, allowing them to eat more food. Vegan.org has facts about how dairy and meat products can cause health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Go Veg!, Jan.17, shelby richardson