Veganism and vegetarianism are the same
Vegetarians do not consume meat, but may eat dairy products and sometimes eggs, foods for which the animal has not died. Vegans, on the other hand, abstain from any animal products, choosing an exclusively plant-based diet. If you’re planning on going vegan, it’s best to make a smooth transition: go vegan and then cut out all animal products.
People go vegan to be better than others.
There are many reasons why people go vegan: concern for the welfare of animals, a desire to do their part to help the environment, an interest in a healthy lifestyle. Of course, there are people who become vegan solely because it is fashionable, but there are very few of them. Being vegan means being more mindful of life, so most vegans don’t have the goal of being superior to others.
Being vegan is expensive
If you’re looking at processed meat substitutes and prepackaged foods, vegan food can actually seem quite expensive. But the same can be said for cooked foods in any type of diet. When you instead look at other vegan foods like rice, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, you notice that the price tag drops pretty decently. And with it the cost of food. Of course, food availability and prices vary in some regions and depend on what you are eating. However, going vegan is not expensive, even if you buy plant-based milk, tofu, and fruits.
Vegans can’t be healthy without supplements
Sometimes people point to the amount of supplements vegans take to prove that the diet itself cannot be healthy. But any diet that excludes some food has its drawbacks. While vegans may be deficient in B12, vitamin D, iron, and other nutrients found mostly only in animal products, meat-based diets are deficient in vitamin C, K, and fiber. However, veganism can be balanced by eating a variety of foods with added vitamins, or simply by varying your diet.
Veganism Can’t Gain Muscle Mass
The fact that meat is the only way to get protein is a huge misconception that is not only old, but fundamentally wrong. There are many plant-based protein sources, such as tofu, tempeh, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, that have protein content comparable to meat products. Nowadays, there are even vegan protein shakes for those who need extra protein to build muscle. If you don’t believe this, take a look at the number of professional athletes who go vegan to boost their energy levels and increase muscle mass.
It’s hard to be a vegan
It’s not exactly a myth. Lifestyle change can be tricky when you’re changing habits you’ve lived with all your life. And you shouldn’t try to make the transition in one day. You need time to overcome food cravings, change recipes, study your diet, and read labels. It also depends on the availability of vegan products in your area, as it’s definitely easier to find some substitutes and themed restaurants in big cities. But once you understand the meaning of veganism, it becomes easier for you.
Vegans can’t eat out of the house
When you go to non-vegan restaurants, you need to be able to talk to the waiter and study the menu carefully. Now some restaurants have special menus for vegans and vegetarians as restaurants realize that vegans are a huge customer base that they don’t want to lose. But if there is no such menu, you can always ask to cook something without meat, order a salad, side dish, fruits or vegetables. Vegans won’t sit at home because some restaurant has meat on the menu.
Vegan food is not satiating
The root of this misconception is that people do not understand what exactly vegans eat. In their understanding, a plant-based diet consists of some kind of grass, salads and tofu. However, the diet of vegans is even more varied and nutritious than that of meat eaters. Legumes, vegetables, nuts, quinoa dishes, soups, smoothies – just google “vegan recipes” and you’ll see for yourself.
Veganism is just about food
Most vegans refuse not only food of animal origin, but also all kinds of products. You will be surprised, but everything from makeup brushes to clothing is made using animal products. More than 100 million animals are harmed in the production and testing of things that people use every day. Therefore, the complete rejection of animal products is the true meaning of veganism.
Veganism has no health benefits
In addition to the fact that athletes feel energized after switching to a vegan diet, there are many other scientifically proven benefits of this diet. According to numerous studies, vegans have a 15% lower risk of certain types of cancer. High cholesterol and heart disease are often associated with a meat-based diet, while vegans have much lower cholesterol levels and a much lower risk of developing heart disease. Plus lower blood sugar levels, weight loss, and reduced arthritis pain.