Is it healthier to be vegan?

As a nutrition expert, I can tell you that the health benefits of a vegan diet can be significant, but they largely depend on the quality of the food choices you make. A vegan diet, by definition, excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. This can lead to a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, which are associated with a variety of health benefits such as lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. However, it's important to note that not all vegan diets are created equal. A diet can be vegan and still be unhealthy if it's high in processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. For example, a diet consisting of crisps or chips, while technically vegan, would not be considered healthy due to their high sodium and fat content, and lack of essential nutrients. To ensure a vegan diet is healthy, it should be well-planned and balanced, providing all the necessary nutrients, including protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. This often requires conscious effort to include a variety of nutrient-dense foods and possibly supplements. In conclusion, a vegan diet can be a healthy choice when it is well-planned and includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods. However, the healthiness of any diet, vegan or not, depends on the overall quality of the food choices and the balance of nutrients it provides.

Vegan or not, a diet high in fruit and veg, and plant-based food is a good starting point for a healthy lifestyle. The answer depends as much on what you eat as with any other diet. Someone living purely on crisps or chips, for example, would be technically following a vegan diet, but it would in no way be healthy.