Vega Guiding Principles for a raw, whole food, alkaline, plant-based diet
Quite often the simplest solution is the best one. Over the past 50 years, however, Western culture has managed to complicate our approach to diet and its relation to health. Obesity and malnourishment exist simultaneously, while the over-consumption of calorie-rich but nutrient-poor foods drains our energy. To make matters worse, we treat obesity with drugs and fad diets, and combat fatigue with refined carbohydrates, sugar and caffeine. These are short-term solutions that eventually render us energy depleted, over-stimulated, chronically stressed and vulnerable to illness and premature aging.
What can we do to address this problem? Many health experts now believe the solution is to consume primarily plant-based, whole foods—pure and simple as nature intended. Whole foods support all the requirements of a healthy body system, from absorption to elimination.
The challenge with whole foods has always been their relative inconvenience to prepare, compared to the gamut of fast food offerings so readily available to us. Born of the belief that one should not have to compromise between whole food goodness and fast food convenience, Vega products are developed with the following principles in mind:
Plant-based whole foods are the true future of optimal health
"Eat your fruits and vegetables" is one of the most tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet. Plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, enzymes, fiber and phytonutrients. Countless studies support their many health benefits.
Vega products are made exclusively from plant-based, whole food ingredients.
Alkaline-forming, plant-based whole foods help build a platform for optimal health
Studies have shown a linkage between an alkaline-forming diet and accelerated growth, development and metabolism1, helping to provide a platform upon which optimal health can be built. In stark contrast to processed food, alkaline-forming foods are nearly exclusively found in the vegetable and fruit groups2 (research has also shown that it is possible to efficiently modify urine pH by diet alone3).
Vega products are alkaline-forming2 and 100% plant-based.
Nutrient density is more important than calories
Once your body is supplied with the nourishment it needs, cravings will cease. Consuming nutrient-dense, whole foods is a healthy way to naturally reduce caloric intake, resulting in the creation of a stronger, leaner body.
Vega creates products that are nutrient dense, yet relatively low in calories.
What you eat should provide energy, not drain it
Ease of nutrient assimilation is a key benefit of wholesome, natural food. The less energy the body must spend on digestion and assimilation, the more energy it will retain.
Enzyme-rich to help with efficient digestion, Vega products offer superior net energy gain.
What you eat should energize through nourishment, not stimulation
Refined foods, refined sugar and caffeine lend temporary energy by stimulating the adrenal glands, creating a brief increase in energy levels but eventually resulting in fatigue.
On a day-to-day basis, Vega One, Energizing Smoothie and Vibrancy bars offer a balance of Omega-3, fiber and low-glycemic carbohydrates to provide a constant, enduring supply of energy through nourishment, not stimulation.
For athletes, the Vega Sport system features products with a judicious balance of minimally-refined carbohydrates and gentler sources of caffeine to provide targeted stimulation to fuel activity, while being mindful of post-workout recovery and long-term wellness.
Minimize exposure to sensitivity-aggravating ingredients
Many people—whether they know it or not—have sensitivities to ingredients that are abundant in the modern, processed food diet. These sensitivities can manifest as headaches, mild flu-like symptoms, low energy, and difficulty shedding body fat.
Vega products are dairy, gluten and soy free, and contain no artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.*
* Vega products are formulated without dairy, gluten or soy. However, our products that contain solid chocolate (Vega maca chocolate, Vega SaviSeed (Cocoa Kissed only), Vega Sport Protein bars and Vega Vibrancy bars (Chocolate Decadence only), may be made in a facility that also processes chocolate containing dairy and soy.
It is possible to rebuild a younger-feeling body
People who exercise regularly break down cellular tissue during every workout. What you eat serves as the building blocks for cellular restoration. Poor-quality construction materials result in poor-quality structures, and the converse is also true. You literally are what you eat!
If regular exercise puts your body in perpetual regeneration mode, you want to give it the highest quality building materials available so your body can rebuild a stronger, younger-feeling version of you.
The nutrient-dense, high net-gain, alkaline-forming nutrition found in plant-based whole foods and superior natural health products like those offered by Vega is truly the best building material available for your body.
1. Samuel, E.L., & Kugelmass, I.N. (1930). Comparative Studies of the Influence of Acid-Forming and Base-Forming Diets on the Metabolism of Rats. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 39(4), 687-700
2. Remer, T., & Manz, F. (1995). Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 95(7), 791-797.
3. Wynn, E. Et al. (2010). Positive influence of nutritional alkalinity on bone health. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 69, 166-173.