Funk Your Diet
Tess Bradshaw is a current Elon junior who recently went vegan. Her new plant-based lifestyle is a little over a week old, yet she is already experiencing positive side effects since making the change.
“I really like what I’ve been cooking and I have more energy,” Bradshaw said. “It’s easy for me because I’ve always liked cooking a lot.”
Bradshaw decided to go vegan after her parents made the switch in December. Her dad struggled with high blood pressure, and after watching the documentary Forks Over Knives, he was inspired to make a change in his diet.
“Forks Over Knives is about actual people who change their diets and it reverses their health issues,” Bradshaw said. “My dad’s blood pressure went from 220/140 to 119/72 after being vegan for just a month.”
Bradshaw is using Arbonne for a month to detox her body. Arbonne is an international multi-level marketing company with vegan skincare, cosmetic, and dietary products.
“Arbonne gives me weekly recipes and ingredient lists,” Bradshaw said. “It comes with protein and fiber powders, and I’m using their skincare too.”
Arbonne cuts out all the main food allergens so people can help determine what they are allergic to or should not consume.
“I don’t feel like I’m limiting and restricting myself because I feel good after,” Bradshaw said. “At the end of the month, I’ll add stuff back into my diet and see how my body reacts to it. It’s a matter of what makes you feel good and is good for your body.”
Bradshaw makes four dinners a week with two servings each so that she has eight meals for the whole week. She will often replace one or two meals a day with a smoothie because they are quick and easy to make.
“People should encompass a lifestyle, not a diet,” Bradshaw said. “Healthy means so much more than being skinny. It’s doing good things for your body long term and short term.”
Being vegan as a college student is not impossible. Whether you are on a meal plan or have access to your own kitchen, Bradshaw believes anyone can successfully do it.
“Cooking really isn’t that hard, and it gets easier and more enjoyable,” Bradshaw said. “Buying your own food makes it easier, but you could do this with a meal plan since there are so many vegan options.”
When it comes to cost, Bradshaw said being vegan is not as expensive as people perceive it to be.
“If you’re eating beans and whole-grain pasta, it’s not more expensive than buying chicken,” Bradshaw said. “It might be more expensive in the beginning when you’re buying almond butter or certain spices, but think about how many servings are in a jar and what you’re getting out of it.”
In addition to Forks Over Knives, Bradshaw found several other documentaries informative and interesting. After watching the Game Changers documentary and Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, being vegan took on a new meaning for her.
“The documentaries are so eye-opening, and everyone needs to wake up and see how we are being manipulated by the meat industry,” Bradshaw said. “That’s more of why I’m vegan, but I also do it for my own health and the environment.”
Bradshaw also stresses that being vegan does not mean a lack of protein.
“The whole thing about going vegan is you won’t get enough protein, but you don’t need animal meat to get protein,” Bradshaw said. “Society has manipulated the way we think about protein, and it’s because of the meat industry and their role in the government.”
Bradshaw explained how cutting out meat does not compromise strength.
“I love to run and cycle, and plenty of strong athletes are vegan,” Bradshaw said. “The less I eat meat, the less I want it, and I feel really good.”
If you are interested in learning more about Arbonne or have any questions for Tess, follow her wellness Instagram account @funkyourdiet!