During an interview with famed vegan actor Woody Harrelson, Stephen Colbert announced that he’s trying a vegan diet for 17 days as a result of losing a bet.





Colbert asked Harrelson, “How do I get my protein?” to which the actor responded that the strongest animals on the planet don’t eat meat and that many humans consume an unhealthy amount of protein. Colbert then said he would just eat Pop Tarts, which Harrelson made clear contain dairy.





Watch the full interview here.









Now that Colbert is exploring the wonderful world of veganism, here are 10 things he should know.





1. You’re helping the planet.









Killing animals is killing our planet. In fact, animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gases than all global forms of transportation combined, making eating vegan one of the best ways to protect the planet





2. Your taste buds are going to love it.









From sweet potato fries and black bean burgers to vegan pizza, plant-based foods are truly delicious. Nearly every city in the U.S. has incredible restaurants with vegan options. To find veg restaurants near you, check out VegGuide.org





3. You’re going to feel amazing.









Many people say that since going vegan they have better complexions , more energy, and better sleep. Many have even lost unwanted pounds!





4. You’re going to be healthier.









Study after study has shown that a plant-based diet is beneficial to your health. Meat has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization reported that processed meats are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes. Let that sink in for a minute.





5. You’re helping protect workers’ rights.









From slave labor to sexual abuse, workers at modern farms are often horribly exploited. Factory farm workers are subjected to countless workplace hazards, including injuries , respiratory illness, PTSD , and exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.





6. You’re fighting world hunger.









There are nearly a billion starving people on the planet . It takes 16 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of beef. Think about it.





7. You could live a lot longer.









large-scale study of 73,000 Americans found that eating a vegetarian diet promotes longevity. Participants who followed a plant-based diet had an early mortality rate 20 percent lower than those who consumed meat!





8. You’re part of an amazing group of people!









From celebrities like Woody Harrelson and Miley Cyrus to everyday people, vegans are some of the kindest people on the planet. Join a meetup , host a vegan potluck, or go to a veg fest and make some new friends!





9. You can save money.









OK, so maybe Colbert doesn’t need to worry about this, but for the rest of us, eating vegan can really help save a few bucks. Some of the most affordable foods are rice, beans, legumes, pasta, and all kinds of fruits and veggies, making eating vegan a great way to save money





10. You’re sparing animals.













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Colbert, we hope you see how awesome being vegan is and decide to make this 17-day challenge a lifelong commitment to creating a kinder world. Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to protect the planet , your health , and innocent animals



