Debunking five common myths about veganism
Despite the increasing population of vegans these days, many people are still confused between veganism. Simply put, veganism is the practice of abstaining from food items and other products derived from animals, such as meats and dairy products. This means that the followers of veganism depend mainly on a plant-based diet. Here, we debunk five common myths about veganism.
Myth: Veganism leads to a deficiency of nutrients
Whether you are a vegan or a non-vegetarian, if you don't eat a balanced diet, you are likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Sure, meat is a rich source of protein, but you can also opt for plant-based sources such as soy protein. And while dairy is a great source of calcium, you can rely on plant-based options like tofu, fortified soy milk, spinach.
Myth: Vegan food is expensive
Many people tend to wrongly believe that vegan food is expensive. However, the truth is that veggies, beans, lentils, chickpeas, legumes and grains including brown rice, quinoa, barley and other whole grains are way cheaper than most of the non-vegetarian food. Plus, since vegan food is good for your health, it will help you save all that unwanted expenditure on health care.
Myth: Vegans only eat salads
Of course vegans love their salads, but not all the time. In fact, contrary to what many believe, vegan food can be pretty versatile. Be it tacos, pastas, smoothies, falafel and pizza, vegans enjoy all of them with just slight changes. So no, veganism is not just about the salads, and it's perhaps time to rethink the notion that vegan food is boring.
Myth: Vegans need supplements
Drastically changing your diet from non-vegetarian to a vegan one can create problems for your health. However, if you plan everything correctly and go about it with a systematic approach, the transition can be pretty smooth. Also, in the long run, vegans need not depend on any kind of supplements, given that they are ingesting such a nutrient-rich diet.
Myth: A vegan diet will make you lose muscle
Muscle building depends on your protein consumption, regardless of the source you receive it from. Therefore, muscle build-up is not likely to get affected, if you shift from a non-vegetarian to a vegan diet. You can rely on vegan sources such as leafy greens, beans, and seeds to pump up those muscles. All you need is proper strength training and healthy diet.
