Myths That People Still Believe About Veganism

Do the myths around veganism come from meat eaters looking for excuses?

Veganism is a lifestyle choice. Vegans don't have to be vegan, but they do HAVE to be vegan. Vegans could choose to eat meat, eggs, cheese or fish, but they can't because they know that they don't have the right to eat animals. We can wear leather, but we don't have the right to take a cow's skin and turn it into a jacket, bag or pair a of shoes. Just because we can doesn't mean that we should. We can force animals to have babies, take those babies, grow the babies and then kill them and eat them, but we shouldn't. Most importantly, we don't have to.

Some people try to justify using and eating animals by claiming that the alternative is bad in some way, like people saying that zoos are good. I've had people tell me that if we didn't have zoos people wouldn't be able to see wild animals like lions, chimpanzees and penguins. My question though is, why do we have to see them? Why do we have to lock these creatures up in countries that they shouldn't be in so that people can stare at them? There are so many documentaries that are absolutely amazing and make it so that we don't have to see these animals locked in an "enclosure" to know how incredible they are. Plus, watching a documentary on animals in the wild will teach about how they really are, how they behave, the societies that they live in. Zoos don't teach you anything about that, these animals are trapped and miserable. They don't act the way wild animals do and this is one of the reasons why these animals don't breed and die young. Again, just because we can, doesn't mean that we should.

Using animals is purely for the satisfaction of the humans, how the animals feel does not matter

Myths That People Believe About Veganism

Some of the myths around veganism are just people getting things wrong, not understanding how nutrients work, things like that. There are those who believe that you can only get protein from eating animals. Others know that beans, nuts and grains have protein, but the protein is different and our bodies can't use it. Other myths are straight up lies, but people buy into them because it suits the narrative that they yell themselves. "Vegans are all deficient, people who eat meat are strong". If you keep telling yourself that you can feel good about eating animals. That you're doing something good. If you believe in human slaughter, you'll believe that you're not doing any harm. But, there's a reason why people aren't allowed to visit farms and slaughterhouses, why they're completely covered in CCTV and why the people that do get in end up getting locked up. They don't want the truth coming out.

Below are some myths and the actual, real, factual truth about them:

1. Vegans Don't Get Enough Protein: Many believe that a vegan diet doesn't have enough protein. Not true, there are loads of plant-based sources of protein, including beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, quinoa and many types of nuts and seeds. On top of that, when you combine different foods, like rice with beans, you get the full protein complement, nothing is missing. A well-planned vegan diet can easily meet protein requirements.

2. Vegans Are Always Hungry: This myth is saying that vegan meals are not filling. In reality, plant-based foods are so satisfying. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables and healthy fats from nuts and seeds can give you long-lasting energy and fullness and with vegan food you can eat loads and not get that post-meal slump where you feel tired and groggy. You actually feel energised.

3. Veganism is Expensive: Some vegan products can be pricey, like meat replacements, but a vegan diet can be really affordable and way cheaper than eating meat. Staple foods like rice, beans, lentils, seasonal vegetables and fruits are often quite cheap and easy tto find in supermarkets.

4. Vegans Can't Build Muscle: Some people believe that building muscle isn't possible on a vegan diet. However, many vegan athletes and bodybuilders build loads of muscle by eating the protein quantities that they need from plant sources, while maintaining a balanced diet.

5. Vegan Diets Are Nutritionally Deficient: This myth says that vegans are at risk of deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. There are certain nutrients that need attention, but these can be managed with fortified foods, supplements and careful dietary planning. Like iodine. You can take a supplement, eat seaweed or use fortified plant milks and other foods, there are options, this isn't impossible or even difficult.

6. Vegan Food is Boring and Tasteless: A lot of people assume that vegan food is boring and has no flavour. In reality, vegan meals include a really wide variety of delicious and diverse dishes from different cultures around the world, using loads of different ingredients and spices. I love adding ginger and chilli flakes to my meals, even if I'm just making ramen, it's so good and healthy too.

7. Veganism is Just a Diet: Veganism is often misunderstood as being just a dietary choice. In fact, veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, encompassing food, clothing and other products such as beauty products. We're not going vegan to lose weight, it's about so much more than that, it's not about ourselves at all.

8. Vegans are Weak and Lack Energy: There's a stereotype that vegans are frail or lack stamina. Many vegans, including athletes, tennis players, formula one drivers, weightlifters and individuals with demanding physical jobs, have incredibly high levels of energy and strength, blowing this myth out of the water.

9. Veganism is Unnatural: Some argue that eating plant-based is unnatural for humans. However, humans are omnivores, we're capable of thriving on a variety of diets. Historically and across cultures, many populations have thrived on largely plant-based diets. If you go way back in history, humans were vegan before they started hunting and catching animals. If a vegan diet didn't work for those people we wouldn't be here today.

10. All Vegans are Healthier: While a vegan diet can be healthy, simply being vegan does not guarantee good health. It's possible to eat a vegan diet that is high in salt, sugar and processed foods. Eating chips and vegan chocolate and skipping fruits and vegetables isn't gong to make you healthy. Like any diet, nutritional balance and mindful eating are key to health.

    
    

We need to know that these are the myths that people are holding on to, with both hands, refusing to let go. If the meat eater did understand that these things are just myths and, therefore, not true, they would have to take a look at the way that they choose to live and make some changes. People don't like change, so they don't look. We need to live with our eyes open.

#GoVegan #VeganMyths