Veganism Vegetarianism

Debunked: The Major Myths About a Vegan Lifestyle

There are a ton of myths about veganism floating out there, and in some cases they’re holding people back from making the best decision of their lives. Don’t be one of those people!

Let’s talk about a few of the most common objections people raise to a vegan lifestyle and debunk each one.

Myth #1: “I’m an athlete, I need to eat meat!”

Nope, nope, nope. Many athletes are embracing veganism and seeing benefits to their performance and recovery by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Plus, a vegan diet is fantastic for boosting micronutrient intake.

There are quite a few high-performing athletes that are thriving on a plant-based diet, and scientists have shown that a vegan diet can support athletic performance.

Ryan Stills is one example of a vegan powerlifter who competes at the highest levels in his chosen sport. Does he look weak to you?

Myth #2: “Going vegan is too expensive!”

While it’s true that some specialty vegan products can be pricey, a vegan diet can also be very affordable. Whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are often cheaper than animal products, and can be a budget-friendly way to eat.

Plus, you’ll be better off spending a few extra dollars to buy healthy whole foods in the long run. Heart attacks aren’t cheap, you know!

Myth #3: “Going vegan will kill my sex drive.”

There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the idea that a vegan diet leads to a lower sex drive. However, a lack of certain nutrients, such as zinc and vitamin B12, can lead to decreased libido and other health problems if not obtained through a balanced diet. Vegans should be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in their diet, such as fortified cereal, soy products, and supplements.

It’s also important to note that sex drive can be influenced by many factors such as physical, psychological, and social. Diet may play a role in overall physical health, but it is not the only determinant of sex drive.

Plus, what’s sexier than feeling good about yourself and your body?

Myth #4: “I travel a lot and it’s too difficult to stay vegan on the road!”

Well, that’s some plant-based bologna! In fact, it’s never been easier to stay vegan while traveling.

There are generally tons of plant-based options at airports, vegan-friendly restaurants exist at most popular tourist destinations, and you can always pack your own snacks and meals. The abundance of meat alternatives and fast-food options makes veganism a very easy choice, even if you’re always on the go.

Myth #5: “Vegans can’t get enough protein!”

This again? The protein objection is one of the most common and one of the silliest.

There are many plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, and seeds. A well-planned vegan diet can easily provide enough protein to meet your daily recommended intake. If you’re not getting enough protein, it means you’re not really trying!

Sources of Vegan Protein

Myth #6: “I’ll never be able to stick with it…”

Many people talk themselves out of even attempting a vegan diet by imagining that they’ll have to give up all of their favorite animal-based foods for the rest of their lives.

Another frequent concern is holidays. The veg-curious will talk themselves out of even trying a vegan diet because of one or two big meals per year. The reality is, you can easily have a delicious vegan Thanksgiving or Christmas. And even if you “break” your diet a couple of times per year, going 99% vegan is still a great decision for your health and for the benefit of the environment.

Still not sure? An excellent way to dip your toe into the vegan lifestyle is by committing for a set amount of time, maybe try Veganuary for a month and see how you feel. After that, cut yourself some slack and take things day-by-day.

Related Posts

How to Encourage Your Loved Ones to Go Vegan Without Pissing Them Off!

Once you become a vegan, it’s normal to want everyone around you to be vegan as well because you want to end animal suffering once and for all! Convincing those...
veganuary

Veganuary: The Perfect Way to Taste Test Veganism

The New Year is swiftly approaching and with it comes another Veganuary! I’m really excited about this time of year because it encourages people to go vegan in a fun...