Taking the vegan plunge can be an admirable decision for activist, health, or weight loss reasons. But since meat and dairy are literally off the table now, it’s very important to nourish your body and get the nutrients you need. Vegan diets consist entirely of plant foods. That means no meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy. While many people adopt this way of eating out of animal rights and environmental concerns, others are choosing it for its health benefits such as reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, lower cholesterol and, of course, weight loss.