Vegan Nutrition

Myths Debunked About Vegan Nutrition

Myth: Vegan nutrition doesn’t not lend itself to healthy diet

Fact: The key to any healthy diet is eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetable whole grains, nuts and seeds everyday in order to acquire adequate amounts of protein, calcium, fat and iron. The vegan diet can easily meet these requirements. Many respected doctors and health professionals have concluded that vegan nutrition is not only safe but has many significant health benefits.Myth: The vegan does not get enough protein.

Fact: Eating the typical American diet, it is very easy to get too much protein in your diet. Too much protein increases the risk for serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes or stomach problems. Getting enough protein is easy to do on a plant based diet. Almost every kind of vegetables, grains, nuts or seeds contain proteins. The bonus is the fruits and vegetables are cholesterol free, low in fat, and high in fiber. All those things that is so good for you.

Myth: It is difficult to get complete protein on a vegan diet; they have to be carefully combined and eaten at the same time

Fact: Most plant foods are incomplete proteins, except for the soybean which is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. Recently it has been discovered that it is no longer as once thought, necessary to combine them at the same meal it is adequate to eat at anytime in a 24 hr period. Many dishes are combined naturally that way I recipes such as beans and rice.

Myth The dairy industry tells vegans they can’t get enough calcium without milk.

Fact:Calcium is found in abundance in tofu, nuts, dark leafy greens, and broccoli. In addition to providing calcium the vegetables are great sources for important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Myth: Vegans can’t get enough iron.

Fact:Iron is abundant in many plant foods. Vegans aren’t really at risk for iron deficiency. Iron rich foods include beans, dark green vegetables, dried fruits, nut and seeds Also, whole grain breads and cereals all contain high amounts of iron.

Myth: Vegans can’t get enough Vitamin D if they don’t drink milk.

Fact: Cows milk does not naturally contain Vitamin D; it is an additive just as it is in soy milk. Vitamin D is not really a vitamin but a hormone that out bodies manufactures on its own, when we expose ourselves to sunlight. Just get out in the sunshine 25 minutes a day.

Myth: Vegans have a deficiency in Vitamin B12

Fact: Vitamin B12 is the primary source of Vitamin B12, but the human body only requires only 2 micrograms of Vitamin b12 per day. B12 defiency is not common amongst vegans. The best way to get vitamin B12 is through fortified foods such as soy milk and breakfast cereals. If you are concerned about B12 you can take a daily supplement.

Myth: The best omega 3 fatty acids are from fish and fish oil.

Fact: researchers have found the omega-3 from fish source are unstable and release free radicals. They have also found that forms of omega 3 coming from vegetables, fruits, beans and especially flaxseeds are the more stable. In addition the there are many antioxidants in the fruits and vegetables that help neutralize the free radicals.