Common Myths & Facts About Being Vegan
Let’s first start by saying a healthy vegan diet takes work. There are many misconceptions and myths about vegans. I want to talk about some of the common myths you often hear about vegans and a plant-based lifestyle. Being healthy whether vegan or not takes a lot of work specifically reading and education yourself about food. Then the harder part is taking action and implementing what you learned on your binge reading at 2am via Google. Let’s get started.
ALL Vegan Food Is Healthy: False
Many people assume because you’re plant-based you’re automatically “healthy”. The truth is that’s false. You can easily be an unhealthy vegan with all the various plant-based options we have today. Although many of the natural plant-based food is healthy and naturally lower in calories, some vegan friendly food can be unhealthy and lack nutrients. For instance, some processed meat-alternative products are sometimes high in sodium which could can lead to high blood pressure. Meat alternatives like vegan burger patties, sausages, which can be a good source of protein when trying out a healthy vegan diet but you must always pay attention to the sugars and sodium. The same goes for vegan ice cream, burgers, pizza, pastries, cake ect. Just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s “healthy” it may be a healthier alternative to the real thing, but let’s not assume. Okies?
Vegans Do Not Eat Enough Protein: False
There are many sources of plant-based protein found in vegetables, nuts, soy foods (I know some don’t like soy it’s only 1 option out of many) and quinoa/seeds. There is also the option to purchase plant-based protein powders to help make sure you are taking in the correct amount of protein for a healthy vegan diet. I personally do not consume protein powder, but I have in the past and it is an easy introduction to ween off animal protein.
You Will Lose Weight as a Vegan: True/False
It is very important to pay attention to the types of foods you are consuming on a plant-based diet. Although it may be true for some, it is not guaranteed that you will lose weight as a vegan. It is key to have a balanced diet you cannot go around eating pasta and bread simply because its vegan🙄🤪. A healthy vegan diet is making sure you pay attention to your carb/protein/healthy fat ratio in addition to sodium and sugar levels. Some people may lose weight right away simply by cutting out dairy or animal protein however, everyone’s body reacts differently. My tip is to pay attention to your eating habits, vegan or not, so you know what you are consuming.
As a Vegan, You Will Have Vitamin Deficiencies: True
The only vitamin you cannot consume through natural plant-based products is vitamin B12. Although you run the risk of being vitamin B12 deficient, going plant-based doesn’t mean you will have any other nutritional deficiencies. If you do your research you will instantly know that B12 is the onlyvitamin that you will lack on your road to a healthy vegan diet. Simply buying supplements to counteract will suffice. In fact, there are also many plant-based foods that are fortified with B12 which help with the US recommend intake of 2.4mg vitamin B12 a day.
Being Vegan Means Only Eating Salads and Twigs: False
I think by now I have heard all, if not most, vegan jokes. The most common joke is vegans eat plants and twigs. Although a healthy vegan diet consist of a lot of vegetables, nuts, fruits, seeds and grains, there are many delicious non-salad vegan options. Living in Los Angeles I have a wide range of options and I know I am spoiled in that sense. But if you think there is no such thing as a good vegan burger, think twice! Impossible and Beyond Burgers are to die for. Vegan pizza? Yes please. Lasagna? head over to Crossroads or SunCafe. I frequent plant-based restaurants often and I have not had the need to order a salad because they have so many other delicious options.
Vegans are so Preachy: True/False
I’m not here to turn you or convince you to become a vegan. I swear!! There is a stereotype that surrounds vegans which can sometimes be true. Yes I have meet people who are extremely preachy about veganism and animal-cruelty. Let’s not forget the “I’m plant-based not vegan -eye roll-” Yup. Let’s save that for another post. There are also many people like myself who couldn’t care less if you chose to consume a juice Maestro’s steak in front of me 🤷🏼 to each their own. What I care about is a knowledgeable mind and healthy lifestyle. If you ask me about my vegan lifestyle, I will tell you otherwise, I keep to myself.
Sharing My Healthy Vegan Diet and Experience
I often tell everyone my new vegan lifestyle is a way to live a healthier lifestyle. However, being healthy is a choice vegan or not. Making sure you inform yourself on the products you are consuming is the first step to live a healthy lifestyle. I personally decided that my journey to a healthier lifestyle works best as a vegan. Before my healthy vegan diet I had no self control when it came to Hot Cheetos and Pizza. Oh how those days have changed haha.
There are many changes your body goes through when you first switch to a plant-based diet. I always suggest you read and do your research before switching over. Making sure you are informed is the most important thing before starting any new diet. I hope my myth buster post has provided some new information. In the near future I will be sharing some vegan recipes.
Are There any Other Vegan Saying/Myths You’ve Heard?
XO Andie
“Vegans are so Preachy” Lol! Yeah some of them can be, sometimes! I love how you clarify that just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s “healthy”. Love it, girl!
Author
LOL. Unfortunately it’s true. But yes, I have many friends who think vegan food = healthy. Glad I can clear up the misconception
This is awesome! Thanks for all the facts. I love my meat too much to switch over, but I love the idea of clean eating with the addition of some meats.
Author
Glad you like the clean eating concept. Knowledge is power 🙂
You did bust some myths here. I actually had some of the misconceptions you mention here.
Author
Glad I was able to clear up a few things ☺️
Having a healthy diet is always important. You did tore down some big myths here 🙂
One of my new personal development goals is eating healthy and you shared some helpful tips here
I feel like vegan food has certainly come a long way. When I see oictures like youts, I think to myself that it’s something I could actually do.
Thanks for separating fact from fiction. As soon as I read eating pasta and bread is considered vegan, I was like yikes! all those carbs are not good for weightloss. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Hahah of course! No one will be healthy if all they ate was bread and pasta lol
I am not a vegan, but all this food looks tasty! I love my meat too much to ever give it up, but I enjoy vegan food as well.
I tried veganism once and I also fell for the weight loss one and just figured out that you may or may not lose depending on what you are eating. Just because you be a vegan doesn’t mean you can’t eat unhealthily or too much.
Author
Yes exactly! I had friends say that they tried losing weight by going vegan and they failed. It’s the unhealthy eating habits that cause weight gain.
This is an awesome post! Thank you for clearing up some myths
We are on the Keto Diet and am liking it. Too each their own. Vegan might be a little too restrictive for me but I could do the vegetarian thing.
Author
I have heard many great things about the keto diet. I have many friends who swear by it. Honestly I wanted to give it a try but didn’t
This was a very informative and equally interesting post. I like that you dispelled myths about being vegan and educated us on a diet choice that isn’t necessarily a healthy one.
I know many people are trying to be vegan lately and that is an amazing thing! Though I doubt I can ever give up cheese. But so many vegan places I have eaten at make the best food.
This answers a lot of the questions I was wondering about. I really want to give it a try but one of my concerns hasn’t always getting the vitamins you get from meat.
I have often thought of becoming a vegan for health reasons but I haven’t done any more than thought about it. This post is helpful in my decision.
Terri Ramsey Beavers
Author
That’s wonderful! I am glad I can provide useful information to you about veganism and plant-based diets.
What an honest post! I went to a 100% vegan restaurant and I was so surprised, most of the options were low calories. But there was one veggie burger that was around 515 calories! So not all vegan foods are “healthy.” Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Author
Yes! You’re welcome I wanted to bring attention to the fact that any food could be unhealthy including vegan and non vegan food.
Awesome! this is a very wonderful idea having a good healthy diet is very good for our body.Thanks for the information i tried to do it for myself as well.
Author
Thanks for reading! I hope it inspires a healthier way of eating for you 🙂
thank you for the sincere and honest about vegan diet. it is good that you addressed the myths and facts, i always felt quite concerned about it
Author
Thank you for reading! I know being vegan gets a bad rep so I wanted to touch on some myths and provide more information 🙂