5 Common Myths about Vegan Diets

Eating a vegan diet has become increasingly popular over the past decade. However, there are still a number of misconceptions about it. Check out these 5 Common Myths about Vegan Diets.

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Maintaining a vegan diet is an easier choice than ever before. With so many vegan recipes, online tutorials, and meat alternatives, switching to a vegan diet doesn't mean you'll be munching on plain celery sticks every day. Now days, most restaurants will have at least one vegan option, not to mention that there are now increasing numbers of food spots dedicated to vegan food alone! Celebrities such as Ariana Grande and Joaquin Phoenix have been vocal about their vegan diet, further propelling it into the mainstream.

Eating vegan has been hailed as ridiculous by some, and genius by others. Documentaries, like Game Changers, and general media coverage of plant-based diets have also helped to facilitate more conversations about veganism. Many people choose veganism for ethical and political reasons.

However, a growing number of individuals are going vegan solely for the health benefits. Recent studies suggest that cutting out animal products helps to reduce inflammation, aids with skin problems, and keeps heart disease at bay. Yet some fitness enthusiasts are concerned that eating a plant-based diet could harm their athletic performance. Here we take a look at 5 Common Myths about Vegan Diets and debunk them.

Looking for some great Vegan recipes to try? Check these out:

5 Common Myths about Vegan Diets

"I won't get enough protein eating a plant-based diet"

Getting enough protein is a common concern for people that are considering a vegan diet. Protein helps to build muscle mass, decrease appetite and can aid in weight loss. Many plant-based foods are lower in protein or are not considered complete proteins.

However, with proper planning, people on a vegan diet can easily get in enough protein. In fact, there are a number of high protein vegan meals to be found! Whether you're a pro in the kitchen or you struggle to use a microwave, there are meals to be discovered which suit your abilities and dietary requirements.

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"Eating a vegan diet may harm my athletic performance"

This is a common myth in the athletic community. However, when you look at the athletes who do eat plant-based, it becomes clear that you can achieve any results you want. Take Novak Djokovic, for example, the Serbian tennis player. This six-foot-five athlete discovered that he was gluten and dairy intolerant over a decade ago. He switched to a vegan diet and proceeded to win the Wimbledon tennis tournament five times As I mentioned above, the documentary Game Changers highlights vegan athletes and the benefits going vegan can have on performance further debunking this myth.

"Eating a vegan diet is too restrictive"

Eating a vegan diet has actually never been easier! As the popularity of going meatless has increased, so has the number of plant-based products available to consumers. Many fast food restaurants have also begun to offer vegan options for people. There are also a number of simple ways to replace meat in your favorite recipes with vegan ingredients. You can even make a delicious creamy vegan ice cream like this Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream that even non-vegans will love!

"Eating a vegan diet is expensive"

Eating vegan does not have to be expensive at all. Yes, some of the meat alternatives and store bought vegan snacks and desserts can be pricey. However, it is easy to make your own healthy vegan snacks at home like these Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas. Other ways to keep the cost down is by buying frozen fruits and vegetables and buying items like beans and pasta in bulk.

"I won't get enough vitamins and minerals on a vegan diet"

A vegan diet can actually be one of the healthiest ways to consume food. Plants and beans, common staples of a vegan diet, are some of the most nutrient dense foods available. The only thing that typically needs supplemented when people follow a strict vegan diet is Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin that is found naturally in animal and dairy products, but not in plants. It is typically easy to supplement it by taking B Complex vitamins or eating cereals that are fortified with it.