Category: Vegan Lifestyle

Veganism: Common Myths Debunked

Veganism Myths Debunked: It’s boring, it’s too pricey, and I’m not going to get enough protein by eating it. Some of the falsehoods (read that as “excuses”) that surround the vegan diet are listed below. So let’s see if we can’t completely blast some of these out of the water together.

Myth #1 – Eating healthy costs more

One common misperception is that eating healthy will cost you money. This is not the case, especially when it comes to veganism. Indeed, I’m perplexed as to how this justification came to be, given that 8oz of steak costs dollars per pound whereas beans or mushrooms cost cents/pennies per pound.

Fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, are the major components of a vegan diet. These are all items that can be purchased in bulk at most grocery shops or supermarkets at a reasonable price. Then there are vegan alternatives to animal items that are likewise inexpensive, such as vegetable burgers and soy hot dogs. They don’t spoil easily and are excellent for you, so they’re also wonderful investments.

Milk substitutes, such as soy milk, can be equally as expensive as cow’s milk but give health advantages such as calcium, which is essential for strong bones. For many people, this advantage exceeds the added expenditure. Soy products are frequently high in protein, making them more expensive than less healthful meals, but their nutritional content makes them well worth it. People who buy tofu on a daily basis would most likely spend more money on meat if they did not consume soy products.

Because fruits and vegetables retain their nutritional content even when frozen or canned rather than fresh, healthier vegan alternatives tend to be less expensive than eating meat.

It is simple to have a balanced, nutritional, and economical vegan diet without spending a lot of money or time making difficult foods. Eating vegan can save you time when shopping since it allows you to get everything you need from a single location, such as a grocery store or supermarket, rather than exploring multiple separate places for ingredients that may not even be available there.

Because most fruits and vegetables are tasty fresh, you may save money by not using power or gas to prepare meals.

Is it too expensive? It costs more to be unwell in the future than it does to invest in healthy eating today. Consider it a different type of health insurance (1).

Myth #2 – a plant-based diet is bland

Umami is a fundamental flavor (the others being salty, sweet, bitter, and sour). Umami appeals to us because it makes our mouths thirst for more food. Humans love meat because it contains glutamate, which is responsible for the umami flavor (2).

However, there are several vegan sources of glutamate that provide a similar flavor sense. Grains contain a lot of free glutamic acid, which naturally converts to monosodium glutamate. Soy sauce and fermented bean paste are two more foods that are high in glutamate (miso). Mushrooms, tomatoes, and sea vegetables, particularly kombu, offer the umami flavor we love (3).

Yeast extract, popularly known as Marmite or Vegemite, is an excellent source of umami flavor. This delectable spread may be eaten on toast or mixed into spaghetti to fulfill the umami need. Because it has a salty flavor, it may be used in soups, stews, sauces, and casseroles for a flavor boost.

Spices and condiments such as salt and pepper may transform any meal into something wonderful without the usage of pricey products such as meat or fish. With these few ingredients, it’s simple to make flavorful recipes. They last a long time and you only need a small amount, so they save you money as well.

Another thing to remember is that nothing tastes better than rescuing the earth and the lives of countless creatures.

Myth #3 – you need to eat meat and eggs to get enough protein.

When discussing a vegan diet, one of the first topics that most people bring up is whether or not you can obtain enough protein.

Protein is a necessary macronutrient that aids in the healthy functioning of your body. It is very important to include in a healthy diet since it supplies building blocks for muscle growth and repair (after exercise or injury). Plant-based meals include a lot of protein. Don’t worry if you’re a vegan trying to preserve your health while being active! Many plants, such as kale, provide lots of protein, as do beans such as soybean sprouts, which have roughly 5 grams per serving, and lentils, which have 4 grams per cup.

Protein quality is crucial, and while meat has more protein than plants, veggies also have a lot of it. We’re talking about quality above quantity here. Vegan protein sources include tofu, beans, nuts, seeds, tempeh, and edamame (4).

The fact is that we are suffering from more heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than ever before as a result of eating more animal protein. This is due to the cholesterol in meat, which veggies do not have (5).

Another thing to consider is when was the last time you heard of someone in the Western world suffering from a protein deficiency? (6) We consume twice as much food as we should on a daily basis. Fiber is something we don’t get enough of. That is the issue! Please accept my apologies, but a lack of fiber is a million-dollar constipation problem (7). To prevent bowel cancer, we need 30g of fiber every day. That is far more essential than being concerned about obtaining adequate protein. Plants are the only source of fiber. There isn’t any meat.

Anyone who claims that a plant-based diet will leave you deficient in protein is delusory. As evidence, the world’s largest and most powerful creatures, such as elephants, rhinos, and giraffes, solely consume plants. M’lord, I rest my case!

Myth #4 – You don’t get enough nutrients on a plant-based diet.

What a bunch of nonsense!! I can’t believe this is something that people believe. Plants contain far more nutrition than animals. They are more nutrient-dense pound for pound. I find it astonishing that someone who lives on a fast-food diet with all of the nutrients removed can compete with me on a vegetable-rich diet (1).

When you think about it, our forefathers didn’t eat a single manufactured food. They ate fresh fruits and vegetables as well as the occasional animal that they were able to capture. I believe our forefathers would have gone extinct if they had consumed fast food.

The naysayers are frequently the least knowledgeable because they believe that if they yell loud enough about vegans, it will shift the emphasis away from them and what they consume every day!! Sorry for the rage!

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References

1. Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
2. Umami Foods https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/umami-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
3. Plant-based umami https://www.delishknowledge.com/plant-based-umami/
4. The 16 Best Sources of Vegan Protein https://www.livekindly.co/best-sources-vegan-protein/
5. Eating red meat daily triples heart disease-related chemicals https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/eating-red-meat-daily-triples-heart-disease-related-chemical
6. Protein deficiency – a rare nutrient deficiency https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29786804/
7. Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7573977/

 

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How to Start a Vegan Lifestyle

How to Start a Vegan Lifestyle – Get Educated, Make A Plan: If you’re considering becoming a vegan, you should do your homework first. Veganism is a significant commitment with a number of possible benefits and cons.

Here are some tips to help you make the switch from omnivore to vegan.

Learn More

To begin, educate yourself on the vegan lifestyle. While abstaining from animal products simplifies one part of your life, there is much more to it. If you don’t consume meat or fish, you’ll need to find other sources of protein. Lentils, tofu, quinoa, tahini, and even some vegetables are abundant in protein (1).

Make a Strategy

Before making any adjustments, it’s critical to envision your new vegan lifestyle. Do you want to make a gradual transition or go cold turkey? Do you want alternatives to all animal products in your life, or are you happy with just a few? Many people prefer gradual rather than abrupt adjustments, which helps them ease into their new diet and guarantees that they stick with it for the long haul! Another alternative is to try a vegan diet for a week or a month. Veganuary (2) is a concept in which you experiment with veganism for the month of January. The best part is that many other people will be doing it as well, allowing you to support one another along the road.

Find Your Motivation   

Understanding why you choose to become a vegan is critical for staying on track when temptation strikes. Make a list of all the reasons you want to make this change and keep it handy for when your drive wanes. You are almost probably driven by one of these considerations, but if you are still undecided, one of the following may assist you in making your final selection.

Health Benefits – A vegan diet has various health benefits. From boosting the immune system to lowering the risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease.

Animal Welfare/Animal Rights – the condition of meat-bred animals is horrible. While many meat-eaters choose to ignore this, for those of us with a conscience, a plant-based diet is the only viable option.

The environmental impact is that enormous tracts of land and forests are being destroyed to make space for cow grazing. As a result, certain animal species are on the verge of extinction. Furthermore, animal husbandry contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases. As a result, becoming a vegan reduces one’s carbon footprint dramatically (3).

Spiritual Beliefs – If you live a spiritual life, you will love all of God’s creatures.

Religious Motives — Several religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, promote a meat-free diet. Furthermore, many other global faiths and eating ideas, such as Ahimsa and Ital, consider animal slaughter for food to be prohibited (4).

Concerns about social justice and humanitarian issues – Animals are not only raised and slaughtered for their meat, but they are also regularly mistreated. It is, however, not limited to animals. The chicken industry has a long history of mistreating its workers (5).

Obtain Help

If you discover that you are enthusiastic about veganism, it may be beneficial for you to connect with people who have previously or are currently on this road. You may discuss about all things vegan by joining Facebook groups (6), interacting with other vegans on social media, or looking for local meet-ups! Allow no one to try to persuade you out of your new way of life; their negativity will benefit neither of you.

Maintain Your Health

Preparing all of your favourite non-vegan items and stockpiling vegan equivalents for your favourite snacks and sauces may assist you in remaining healthy during this transition. You’re more likely to feel sluggish or hungry if you don’t consume a well-balanced diet after becoming a vegan. You should have all you need to succeed if you have the correct support system, food plan, recipes, and tools.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Veganism is all about making a difference with one’s actions. Every day, as you go about your business as usual, you can make a conscious effort to ensure that no animals are harmed while you are making dinner. Do not be concerned if huge results do not appear right away; small measures taken every day will eventually lead to the desired result.

Have Fun

Investigate vegan substitutes for your favourite dishes, and set aside time to try out new recipes. Baking can be soothing, but cooking can be cathartic. Dive into the recipes and give them your own spin. You might also try something new and buy through a subscription service. Purple Carrot and Fire Road are both well-known (7). This is a simple and enjoyable method to learn about different cuisines and recipes. Nobody ever said, “Being healthy has to be boring!”

It is now easier than ever to live a vegan lifestyle by finding activities and foods that you enjoy!

Transitioning from an omnivore to a vegan diet should be a breeze with these tips and strategies at your disposal! Avoid becoming annoyed if things do not go as planned straight immediately; everyone encounters hurdles from time to time. Maintain your motivation by using what you’ve learned here. Educate yourself on all aspects of the lifestyle, design a suitable approach, and fully implement it.

This should be sufficient to start you on your vegan path. We wish you all the best on your adventure.

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References

1. Top 10 Vegan Protein Sources https://www.peta.org.uk/living/top-10-vegan-protein-sources/
2. Try vegan this month. https://veganuary.com/
3. Interactions among Amazon land use, forests, and climate: prospects for a near-term forest tipping point https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2373903/
4. 4 world cultures and religions that embrace plant-based eating https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/world-cultures-and-religions-plant-based-vegetarian-vegan-diet/
5. Oxfam Report Reveals Abuse of Workers at Chicken Farms https://mercyforanimals.org/blog/oxfam-report-reveals-abuse-of-workers-at/
6. Vegan UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/vegangroupuk/
7. 10 vegan activities to stay happy and healthy https://vegnews.com/2020/3/10-vegan-activities-to-stay-happy-and-healthy

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