According to a top statistical firm’s analysis of Google trends, of all the diets and ways of eating out there, veganism is the one people are most curious about right now. Recently released data shows that searches related to vegan eating have increased by 217 percent since 2014! Interest in veganism hit record highs between December of 2016 and January of 2017, with an average number of searches that was 28% higher than average. Then, in April of 2017, Dr. Oz declared that the vegan diet will be the “single biggest movement of 2017.”
Why Dr. Oz Recommends a Vegan Diet
In an episode called “The Beginner’s Guide to Going Vegan Without Going Crazy,” Oz highlighted the health benefits of a vegan diet … cleared up misconceptions about vegan eating … and shared his tip on how to transition to a vegan diet.
As a heart surgeon, Oz said, he recommends a vegan diet “because it’s low in saturated fat, it’s high in fiber.” Eating a balanced vegan diet has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer!
Oz devoted a good portion of the episode to talking through myths about the vegan diet, for instance, that vegans “can’t eat anything,” and that adopting a vegan diet means sourcing ingredients from a limited and unfulfilling set of options. He even served plant-based “meat” 
and “dairy” options to guests, who were impressed by the texture and taste!
Oz reminded his audience that at least 3 million Americans already eat a vegan diet. As more and more people learn about the benefits of plant-based eating, those numbers will likely grow. “Here’s the big deal,” he said. “Studies continue to show people who live like this end up being healthier, feeling better, and living longer.”
5 Reasons to Go Vegan in 2017
If you need a bit of additional inspiration to affirm your decision to lead a plant-based life, or to encourage your transition to that lifestyle, here are 5 reasons everyone should go vegan in 2017…
- Combat world hunger: we currently produce enough food to support 10 billion people, yet although the Earth’s population currently hovers around 7 billion, hundreds of millions of people go hungry. That’s because 50 percent of grains grown worldwide turn into livestock feed. The more people who adopt vegan diets, the less grain goes to livestock production.
- Eliminate dangerous contaminants from your diet: when you eat meat, eggs, and dairy products, there’s a good chance you’re ingesting bacteria…antibiotics…hormones…dioxins…and numerous other toxins, too. According the USDA, 70 percent of all food poisoning cases are caused by contaminated animal products.
- Protect the environment: the environmental impact of producing one pound of hamburger meat is equivalent to that of driving your car for a week straight. Who’s ready to order a plant-based burger next time?
- Increase your energy levels: digesting animal products taxes your system. A whole-food, plant-based diet provides clean, efficient fuel for your body.
- Bolster your bank account: switching to a plant-based diet could cut your monthly food costs by up to 50 percent! If you shop smart, you could spend less on food for an entire day than you used to spend on a single ready-made sandwich.
