Most people are aware of the health and economic benefits of a plant-based diet. Almost half a million members have joined the Egyptian Facebook page of “Plant Based Diet (Egypt)” with the shared goal of losing weight. There is no doubt that a community has formed and people’s lives are transforming into happier and healthier ones. Bassem Youssef’s weight loss through a plant-based diet has inspired thousands to make the transition, or at least include more plant-based food into their diet. He is the perfect example that you can eat in abundance, lose weight and feel fitter than ever.
Prices of chicken and meat continue to increase in the country, with hormones being pumped into them in to enlarge livestock and therefore, profits. This has a toll on your health, as it messes with your hormones, especially those regulating growth and the reproductive cycle.
Hormones in animal-based products could also be the reason why your skin is breaking out. The large quantity of the hormone IGF-1 in milk is beneficial for calves as it helps them grow; consequently, it also makes pimples grow on our faces. IGF-1 causes inflammation in the human body, leading to inflamed and sore acne. Dairy products cause an insulin spike in humans that cause the liver to produce even more IGF-1, causing even more acne. It can also make your skin produce more oil (sebum), which clogs your pores, resulting in acne and blackheads.
Calcium can be found in dark leafy green vegetables such as the Egyptian staple food, okra. By substituting beef stock for a vegetable-based one, you’ve turned this dish into a full-on vegan one. Tahini and almonds are also great sources of calcium. If you want a super nutrition boost, simply make some foul medames with tahini to pack in some protein and calcium, as well as potassium, magnesium and zinc. You can also make a variety of plant-based milks at home such as soy, oat and almond milk. Simply soak a cup of almonds in water overnight, then whizz it up in a blender with four cups of water. Strain it in a cheesecloth and then add some vanilla or a sweetener of choice if desired.
Many Egyptian foods are actually vegan such as the likes of koshary, mahshy, warak enab, foul, falafel, vegetables with salsa and rice. It is very easy to ‘veganize’ Egyptian food like feteer by asking for it to be made with oil, rather than ghee. Most restaurants are more than happy to make substitutions such as taking out the cheese or chicken and adding extra vegetables for you. You just need to be committed!
There’s no need to spend a fortune on gourmet and imported vegan food. Your local market sells a myriad of fresh fruits and vegetables for a much lower price. You can also make a visit to the attar, aka spice merchant, where you can buy flax seeds, spices, oils and other condiments to spice up your food and its nutritional value. If you want to splurge on some vegan treats, businesses such as Earthly Delights and El-Market have jumped on board with the trend and deliver vegan food such as chocolate ice cream made from cashews and veggie burgers right to your doorstep.
