Are you thinking about starting a plant-based diet, but you’re not sure if it’s the right choice for you? You may have heard some myths about plant-based diets that stop you from making the switch. This post will bust some of those myths and show you how easy and healthy it can be to eat a plant-based diet. So if you’re curious about trying out a vegan or vegetarian diet, read on for some tips!
Contents
A Plant-Based Diet Is Too Expensive
Many people have a concern when thinking about switching to a plant-based diet is the price. They think it’ll cost so much more than their current meat-based diet, and they don’t know if they can afford it to be any more expensive. The truth is, you may spend a bit more money on groceries at first because there are certain items you might need to buy to make some new recipes. But once you stock up on staple ingredients like beans, grains, vegetables, spices, and other essentials, your grocery bill won’t go up all that much.
It’s possible to eat plant-based on almost any budget by eating lots of whole foods like fruits, veggies, and legumes and skipping highly-processed items like vegan meat substitutes. Shop the perimeters of the grocery store to find whole foods that you can use to make your meals at home with little money, and avoid anything that comes in a box or wrapper as much as possible.
You Don’t Get Enough Protein
Another myth is that you need meat to get enough protein. In reality, plant-based diets are full of protein from foods like beans and legumes, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, seitan, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. If you have a balanced diet with lots of variety from each food group (grains, fruits, and veggies), then your body will quickly get all the protein it needs without the help of meat products.
This is especially true if you’re an active person or athlete; carbs and proteins together can give your body what it needs after a challenging workout. It’s hard to over-eat protein on a plant-based diet because it’s not easy to find too much protein without eating fat and carbs that you don’t need.
Plant-Based Diets Are Low In Calories
Have you heard that a plant-based diet is lower in calories than a meat-based one? While this might be true if your goal is to lose weight, there’s no evidence that a plant-based diet is the only way to lose excess pounds. The truth is, many people overeat everything – including junk food and processed food with added sugars – which leads them to gain weight or grow out of shape. If these foods have been replaced by whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits on a plant-based diet, weight loss is likely a natural side effect.
But keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to calories and plant-based diets. Some people might need more calories because they’re very active, while others might find they lose weight more quickly by eating fewer calories. Listen to your body and find what works best for you.
There Aren’t Many Plant-Based Eating Options
Another common myth is that it’s hard to find good plant-based eating options when you’re out and about. This just isn’t true! Most restaurants these days have at least one vegan or vegetarian dish on their menu. And if they don’t, there’s usually something you can order and ask them to modify to make it vegan. For example, many places will serve a salad without cheese or eggs or with a simple vinaigrette dressing on the side.
There are also plenty of online resources and cookbooks that focus on plant-based eating, so you’ll never be short of recipes when you’re looking for something new to try. With a bit of creativity, you can find plant-based meals that you love, no matter where you are or what type of food you’re in the mood for.
You’ll Be Hungry On A Plant-Based Diet
Many people think that they’ll be constantly hungry if they switch to a plant-based diet and will be forced to eat all the time and in large portions. But actually, caloric intakes for vegans and vegetarians tend to be lower than those who regularly eat meat. That’s because many plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are very high in fiber (which means more chewing = less calories!) and take longer to digest. When you give your body time to break down these foods properly, you end up with relatively small amounts of calories that keep you satisfied but not stuffed.
Of course, healthy eating is about more than just what you eat – it’s also about when and how much. Not only that, but plant-based diets allow for a massive variety of dishes made from so many different types of foods, which means that you’ll never get bored and will always have new foods to try. So if hunger is a problem for you on your current diet, you may experience the opposite when reducing or cutting out animal products.
You Can’t Get Enough Nutrients
Finally, some people worry that plant-based diets aren’t as nutritious as meat-based ones. This might be true if you only eat fries and soda along with your meals! As long as you eat a variety of whole foods from each food group (grains, fruits, veggies), then your body should get all the nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy.
A well-balanced diet is full of vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin B12 – which can be found in animal products – and has plenty of fiber and antioxidants from plants. If you’re worried you aren’t getting the nutrients you need, ask your doctor for a blood test. They’ll be able to tell you if there are any deficiencies so that you can make some changes to your diet accordingly.
Conclusion
There you have it: four plant-based diet myths debunked! Remember, a plant-based diet can be healthy, nutritious, and delicious – it’s all about finding what works for you. So go out and explore, try new recipes, and savor the fantastic flavors of whole plant foods. You might just find that a plant-based diet is a perfect way to fuel your body and mind.
