How to Shoot Down Vegan Myths: The Truth Comes Out of the Garden
Have you ever been cornered with the question, "Isn't eating just plants, like, unhealthy though?" I heard you can't get enough protein." If you are anyone who is Vegan Curious to Vegan Purist, I'm sure you've heard this sentiment.
It's not surprising that there are so many negative myths swirling around about plant-based diets that just won't die. As the author and chef behind the cookbook Veggie OUTLAWS — Most Wanted Vegan Recipes, I've made it my mission to shoot down negative myths with facts, stats, and, above all, outrageously delicious plant-based food.
As the original Veggie OUTLAW, I created a group of characters rebelling against the status quo and conventional wisdom that defends the consumption of animal products. We are myth-busters on a ground-breaking journey to spread the truth that vegan food tastes good. Using great-tasting recipes, we shoot down negative myths about eating vegan foods. We turn plant-based ingredients into healthy, delicious recipes that feed both body and soul. Our recipes contain a healthy balance of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. We create flavour explosions by adding herbs and spices and use tantalizing sauces to produce delectable plant-based delights.
These are a few of the myths that we are shooting down:
• You can't get enough protein from plants.
• It's too expensive to eat vegan.
• It is unhealthy to eat only plant-based foods.
• Vegan food is nothing but tasteless vegetables.
• Vegan food tastes terrible.
• Vegan diets lack essential minerals.
• Vegan diets lack absorbable vitamins.
• Vegan food is mostly all carbs, which is bad for you.
• You need dairy to get calcium because a vegan diet does not provide enough.
• Vegan diets lack amino acids.
• It's hard to consume enough quality fats on a vegan diet.
• Being vegan makes you sick, weak, or tired.
• It's too difficult to be vegan.
• A vegan diet relies heavily on soy.
• A vegan diet is an extreme diet.
• Vegans eat only salad.
• A person is either vegan or not — there is no middle ground.
You can't get enough protein from plants.
One of the most common myths is that plant-based diets are low in protein. But does sinking your teeth into a hearty bean burrito, protein-packed tofu stir-fry, or a nutty trail mix leave you feeling deprived of protein? Of course not! An analysis in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that vegans easily meet their protein needs when eating a varied diet with adequate calories from foods like legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds.
It's too expensive to eat vegan.
Think eating vegan means shelling out for pricey mock meats and dairy-free cheeses? Think again. Some of the most affordable staples are plant-based basics like beans, lentils, oats, potatoes, frozen fruits, and veggies. A study in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition found that plant-based consumers are shown to spend less than all other consumers assessed.
Vegan diets are always low in nutrients.
This myth stems from the mistaken belief that you need animal products to get all your essential vitamins and minerals. But the truth is, you can absolutely meet all your nutrient needs with smart meal planning and perhaps a B12 supplement. The key is a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. In fact, the American Dietetic Association states that properly planned vegan diets are nutritionally adequate for all stages of life.
At Veggie OUTLAWS, we aim to shatter these myths once and for all by showing just how crazy delicious and nutritious plant-based cooking can be. Our recipes make it easy to keep your loved ones fully nourished and satisfied, whether they're hardcore vegans or enthusiastic omnivores. Because breaking bread together over an amazingly tasty vegan meal? Now, that's a bonding experience worth sharing.
So next time someone asks if eating all those plants is really enough, just smile and say...want to try my Minestrone Soup?
