Get to know the pegan diet, which has the principle of reconciling veganism with meat intake

Although it may seem like a contradiction to many, the pegan diet is a combination of the so-called paleolithic (or paleo dietin English and based mainly on animal protein) with the vegan diet — vegan, in English. Hence, the term ‘pegan’, which combines the designations of the two diets — in English, of course.

Its creator, physician Mark Hyman, director of the Center for Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, USA, assures that it is a perfect balance and that many people can benefit from this diet. For this reason, little by little, the theory has been drawing the attention of the world.

O awesome.club compiled some tips for this diet, always remembering that, before adopting any change in your diet, you should consult a specialist.

The aforementioned Dr. Hyman is the author of several books on healthy eating. He mentioned the term “pegan” for the first time on his official website, in which he explains why he considers it the healthiest option for food. As we explained earlier, the word comes from the combination of paleo with vegan (in English), two diets that until today were seen as antagonistic to each other, since the second assumes that the person does not consume any product of animal origin.

However, the specialist found a coincidence between both and that is the axis of everything: “both focus on fresh, ‘real’ foods that are created or produced in a sustainable way”, says Hyman.

With that in mind, Hyman explains that the main detail in the diet are vegetables, which should occupy at least half of your plate, ideally, make up 75% of the total. They must be raw and, of course, it is essential that they are organic and contain as few chemicals as possible.

To better understand what was said above, the doctor has listed a series of guidelines that any healthy diet should follow and that will help guide you better when choosing what to eat.

Vegetables and fruits. Think of your plate as a palette of colors, the more the merrier as the variety of fruits and vegetables will help you take in different nutrients. Good quality fats. The main one is omega 3, which brings great benefits to the brain, skin and heart. This nutrient is found in fish such as salmon, sardines and anchovies, as well as in other foods such as olive oil, nuts or avocados. Adequate protein. Our muscles depend on protein. These substances also play an important role in other body functions, which is why we cannot do without them. Although there are also those of vegetable origin, proteins are found mainly in meat and other products of animal origin. Hyman recommends that meat take a backseat to your plate.

Animals raised sustainably. As with vegetables, the origin is paramount when buying meat, so it is best to buy this food from producers who feed their animals with grass (and less with feed) or, even better, from farms where cattle are raised. loose, being able to graze freely — the same goes for chickens and pigs, for example.

Products with antibiotics and hormones. It’s important to know where your food comes from, and luckily it’s becoming easier every day to buy organic and sustainably produced products. Foods with a high glycemic index. It is recommended to eliminate sugars, flours and refined carbohydrates, such as pasta or white bread from your diet. Hyman clarifies that it’s okay to eat this type of food every now and then as a kind of reward. The important thing is that they are not the basis of daily food. Dairy and gluten. According with the doctor. Hyman, both types of food produce inflammation and are difficult to digest. Therefore, if you stop consuming them, you will notice an immediate improvement in digestion.

Eggs. Although for years they have been linked to high cholesterol levels and heart problems, recent studies have shown that consuming them once a day is not harmful. In fact, on the contrary: they are an important source of protein and good fats for the brain. Legumes. Vegans consume legumes as substitutes for animal protein. However, the lectins contained in some of these foods cause inflammation and can lead to blood sugar spikes. That’s why Hyman recommends only having small portions. Tuna. It is true that it is also a source of omega 3. However, it contains mercury, a substance that is linked to some diseases such as cancer, reason enough to reduce its consumption in your daily diet.

Again, the best thing for your health is always to follow your doctor’s recommendations, who will guide you on the advantages of the pegan diet to reach your goals.

As Hyman himself says in the text in which he explains this diet, the important thing is to make decisions based on biology, and not on trends or even on studies that flood the Internet, many of them without scientific foundation.

What do you think of the pegan diet? Leave your opinion in the comments!