Vegan myths...busted!
Myth: You can't get enough protein from plants
A half-cup of beans even has about the same amount of protein as one ounce of meat. To get all of your essential amino acids, focus on eating a variety of protein-packed plants, including lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and plant-based milks.
Myth: It guarantees weight loss
Not all vegans are slim—or healthy. Those who continue to eat highly processed foods are not getting the benefits of a plant-based diet.
Myth: You'll always be hungry
If you're hungry on a no-meat diet, you are doing something wrong—namely, not getting enough fiber, fat, or protein, says Drew Ramsey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and author of 50 Shades of Kale. Fiber, the indigestible part of a plant, literally keeps your gut full and stabilizes blood sugar levels to prevent cravings, while fat and protein are both energy rich and slow to digest. So, if your stomach is growling, grab a handful of nuts. They're packed with a power combo of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Myth: You have to eat fake meat
Meat substitutes are often full of sodium, preservatives, and additives, says Dr. Ramsey, so in some cases, it's healthier to just eat the real thing (remember, vegetarianism doesn't have to be all or nothing). There are healthy meat substitutes out there—just be sure to read food labels carefully.
Myth: Vegan diets offer less energy
The Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine recently ran an article about The Rise of the Power Vegans, which spoke of high powered CEOs and other prominent personalities making conscious choices towards veganism. Former president Bill Clinton, Ford Executive Chairman of the Board Bill Ford, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, venture capitalist Joi Ito, Whole Foods Market Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, Steve Wynn, Mort Zuckerman, Russell Simmons have all chosen to go vegan. Clearly if you are able to run huge corporations on a vegan diet, you are not lacking in energy!
Myth: Veganism gives you anemia
There are many excellent vegan dietary sources of iron. In fact experts have opined that it is possible that vegan diets actually contribute to the body’s increased efficiency in terms of iron absorption.
Myth: Vegan diets are calcium and protein deficient
Though vegans choose not to have milk and milk products, it doesn’t follow that their diet is calcium or protein deficient. Research has shown that vegan diets have no negative impact on bone density. This is because animal protein actually pulls calcium from the bones to weaken them, which doesn’t happen with vegans who consume healthier plant proteins.
Myth: Vegan diets are inappropriate for pregnant women
The American Dietetic Association actually is of the view that a well-planned vegan diet is appropriate for everyone and all stages of life; even when pregnant.
"Top 5 Veganism Myths Busted" Vegan Souls. Online
"10 myths about vegetarian diets, busted" Health. Online
A half-cup of beans even has about the same amount of protein as one ounce of meat. To get all of your essential amino acids, focus on eating a variety of protein-packed plants, including lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and plant-based milks.
Myth: It guarantees weight loss
Not all vegans are slim—or healthy. Those who continue to eat highly processed foods are not getting the benefits of a plant-based diet.
Myth: You'll always be hungry
If you're hungry on a no-meat diet, you are doing something wrong—namely, not getting enough fiber, fat, or protein, says Drew Ramsey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and author of 50 Shades of Kale. Fiber, the indigestible part of a plant, literally keeps your gut full and stabilizes blood sugar levels to prevent cravings, while fat and protein are both energy rich and slow to digest. So, if your stomach is growling, grab a handful of nuts. They're packed with a power combo of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Myth: You have to eat fake meat
Meat substitutes are often full of sodium, preservatives, and additives, says Dr. Ramsey, so in some cases, it's healthier to just eat the real thing (remember, vegetarianism doesn't have to be all or nothing). There are healthy meat substitutes out there—just be sure to read food labels carefully.
Myth: Vegan diets offer less energy
The Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine recently ran an article about The Rise of the Power Vegans, which spoke of high powered CEOs and other prominent personalities making conscious choices towards veganism. Former president Bill Clinton, Ford Executive Chairman of the Board Bill Ford, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, venture capitalist Joi Ito, Whole Foods Market Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, Steve Wynn, Mort Zuckerman, Russell Simmons have all chosen to go vegan. Clearly if you are able to run huge corporations on a vegan diet, you are not lacking in energy!
Myth: Veganism gives you anemia
There are many excellent vegan dietary sources of iron. In fact experts have opined that it is possible that vegan diets actually contribute to the body’s increased efficiency in terms of iron absorption.
Myth: Vegan diets are calcium and protein deficient
Though vegans choose not to have milk and milk products, it doesn’t follow that their diet is calcium or protein deficient. Research has shown that vegan diets have no negative impact on bone density. This is because animal protein actually pulls calcium from the bones to weaken them, which doesn’t happen with vegans who consume healthier plant proteins.
Myth: Vegan diets are inappropriate for pregnant women
The American Dietetic Association actually is of the view that a well-planned vegan diet is appropriate for everyone and all stages of life; even when pregnant.
"Top 5 Veganism Myths Busted" Vegan Souls. Online
"10 myths about vegetarian diets, busted" Health. Online
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A large study in the United Kingdom showed that common bone fractures were no more common in vegans provided they consumed over 525 mg calcium a day. In addition to calcium, other components of a plant-based diet that are believed to protect the integrity of bone structure are potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, soy, and certain culinary herbs, such as thyme, sage, and rosemary. "WinstonCraig, MPH, PhD, RD." VN. Web. |
