WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Elle Macpherson Swears By This Diet For Improved Digestion And Glowing Skin

Elle Macpherson Swears By This Diet For Improved Digestion And Glowing Skin

6 Of The Best Protein Sources For A Plant Based Diet

6 Of The Best Protein Sources For A Plant Based Diet

1 In 12 Parents Are Raising Their Kids As Vegan, But Is That Really Safe?

1 In 12 Parents Are Raising Their Kids As Vegan, But Is That Really Safe?

People Who Follow This Diet Are Healthier Than The Rest Of Us, Confirms Study

People Who Follow This Diet Are Healthier Than The Rest Of Us, Confirms Study

{headline}

{headline}

How To Get Enough Protein On A Plant-Based Diet

How To Get Enough Protein On A Plant-Based Diet

9 Foods You Can Eat In Any Quantity Without Gaining Weight

9 Foods You Can Eat In Any Quantity Without Gaining Weight

You Could Win Beyoncé Tickets FOR LIFE If You Try A Vegan Diet

You Could Win Beyoncé Tickets FOR LIFE If You Try A Vegan Diet

{headline}

{headline}

'Becoming Vegan Was The Only Thing That Helped My Psoriasis'

'Becoming Vegan Was The Only Thing That Helped My Psoriasis'

5 Foods To Super-Charge Your Immune System

5 Foods To Super-Charge Your Immune System

5 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Immunity

5 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Immunity

It’s Official: This Weird Diet Is Actually The Healthiest Of Them All

It’s Official: This Weird Diet Is Actually The Healthiest Of Them All

This Diet Will Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Almost 50 Percent

This Diet Will Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Almost 50 Percent

Kayla Itsines’ Mediterranean-Style Diet *Actually* Sounds Delicious

Kayla Itsines’ Mediterranean-Style Diet *Actually* Sounds Delicious

Study Finds Cooked Veggies Are Better For Your Gut Health Than Eating Them Raw

Study Finds Cooked Veggies Are Better For Your Gut Health Than Eating Them Raw

  1. Home
  2. Health

People Who Follow This Diet Are Twice As Likely To Take Sick Days

The stats don’t lie. - by Lucy Bode
  • 16 Jan 2019
People Who Follow This Diet Are Twice As Likely To Take Sick Days
Getty

If one of your goals for 2019 is to eat more fruit, veg and plant-based foods, veganism is the lifestyle for you - no ifs or buts about it. Unless your sole reasoning is to better your health (read: finally give the flu the flick). In which case, might we suggest you don’t take the above advice.

RELATED: 'I Tried Going Vegan To Lose Weight And It Backfired In The Worst Way'

A new survey of over 1,000 office workers across the UK has found that vegans take twice as many sick days as carnivores. They also book more doctors’ appointments, seeing their GP on average 2.6 times during sniffle season compared to the national average of 0.7 times.

In addition, two-thirds of those who subscribe to the eating regime admitted to skipping work due to illness in 2018 more than they had in previous years. On the other hand, just half of their meat-eating colleagues took the same number of days off as the year before – one in three even claimed to have taken less.

Frustratingly, the report didn’t expand on why this was the case. Although experts point out that following a vegan diet can make a person more prone to iron, zinc and B12 deficiencies which can, in turn, weaken the immune system.

vegan
Getty

Truth be told, we’re not here to poo poo veganism. There are countless studies that suggest that cutting back on your meat consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and improve cardiovascular health – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

But it is important to ensure you’re meeting all your nutrient requirements and keeping tabs on how you’re feeling before it gets to the chucking-a-sicky-point.

With that in mind, here are a few vegan-friendly foods to help keep your immune system in tip top shape:

veggies
Getty
  • Blueberries
  • Dark chocolate
  • Turmeric
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Broccoli
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Spinach
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Green tea
  • Oranges 
  • Kiwifruit
  • Red capsicum

RELATED: 20 Celebrities Who Are Damn Proud Of Their Vegan Diets

  • Health
  • Food
  • Diet Plans
  • Diet
  • Nutrition
  • Vegan Diet
Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is Women Health’s digital editor, social media specialist and the go-to girl for all things holistic wellness. Her background as a journalist and passion for food, fitness and integrative medicine has led her to write for some of Australia’s leading publications over the course of her career.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Elle Macpherson Swears By This Diet For Improved Digestion And Glowing Skin

Elle Macpherson Swears By This Diet For Improved Digestion And Glowing Skin

6 Of The Best Protein Sources For A Plant Based Diet

6 Of The Best Protein Sources For A Plant Based Diet

1 In 12 Parents Are Raising Their Kids As Vegan, But Is That Really Safe?

1 In 12 Parents Are Raising Their Kids As Vegan, But Is That Really Safe?

People Who Follow This Diet Are Healthier Than The Rest Of Us, Confirms Study

People Who Follow This Diet Are Healthier Than The Rest Of Us, Confirms Study

{headline}

{headline}

How To Get Enough Protein On A Plant-Based Diet

How To Get Enough Protein On A Plant-Based Diet

9 Foods You Can Eat In Any Quantity Without Gaining Weight

9 Foods You Can Eat In Any Quantity Without Gaining Weight

You Could Win Beyoncé Tickets FOR LIFE If You Try A Vegan Diet

You Could Win Beyoncé Tickets FOR LIFE If You Try A Vegan Diet

{headline}

{headline}

'Becoming Vegan Was The Only Thing That Helped My Psoriasis'

'Becoming Vegan Was The Only Thing That Helped My Psoriasis'

5 Foods To Super-Charge Your Immune System

5 Foods To Super-Charge Your Immune System

5 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Immunity

5 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Immunity

It’s Official: This Weird Diet Is Actually The Healthiest Of Them All

It’s Official: This Weird Diet Is Actually The Healthiest Of Them All

This Diet Will Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Almost 50 Percent

This Diet Will Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Almost 50 Percent

Kayla Itsines’ Mediterranean-Style Diet *Actually* Sounds Delicious

Kayla Itsines’ Mediterranean-Style Diet *Actually* Sounds Delicious

Study Finds Cooked Veggies Are Better For Your Gut Health Than Eating Them Raw

Study Finds Cooked Veggies Are Better For Your Gut Health Than Eating Them Raw

WomensHealth
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now