7 Common Misconceptions About Meat-Free Diet

A meat-free diet is a diet that can come with many benefits. However, there are many misconceptions attributed to meat-free diets, and these misconceptions usually originate with meat-eaters themselves and pseudo-scientists. Whether you decide to venture onto a vegan diet or a vegetarian diet – going meat-free can be very healthy and beneficial to you. It can also, however, be very unhealthy. A meat-free diet is something that should be drawn upon a case-by-case basis, and you should consult a nutritionist before first deciding to remove all animal-based products from your life altogether.

This page will hope to tell you about seven common misconceptions attributed to meat-free diets. In addition to the point mentioned in the previous paragraph, a meat-free diet may not be suitable for you if you are pregnant. It is very important that you consult a doctor in this instance, and otherwise, a nutritionist. If you begin to notice frequent lethargy or fatigue after embarking onto a meat-free diet, then consult a doctor and consider rethinking your meat-free plan.

This page will now tell you seven common misconceptions about a meat-free diet, and how a meat-free diet can be very healthy for you.

Meat-Free Diets Are Not Healthy

The first of seven misconceptions about going meat-free, whether it be veganism or vegetarianism, is that a meat-free diet is intrinsically unhealthy. In fact, quite the contrary, plant based diets can be incredibly healthy, and in some cases, more beneficial than meat-eating diets. Eating a diet that is free of meat is healthy, providing you to watch your food intake and do not gratuitously eat junk food! 

Diets free from meat have advantages over meat-eating diets. For example, a vegan is more likely to reach their ten portions of fruit and veg a day, they have a lower rate of obesity, and reduced risks of developing prostate and colorectal cancer. The idea that a diet free from meat is unhealthy is absolutely absurd, and millions of vegans and vegetarians throughout the world are all leading long, healthy, and happy lives.

Supplements Are Only for Vegans

Another misconception that many meat-eaters share is that supplements are only a requirement of vegans and that they need them because of nutritional deficiencies brought on by their veganism. This is a misconception, and quite an amusing one, as vegans do not need supplements at all and actually receive their daily nutritional intake from many plant-based foods. In fact, many non-vegans and non-vegetarians regularly take supplements out of choice, simply because of nutritional deficiencies they have personally developed. 

A deficiency is most often caused by a poor diet – and a poor diet is far more than simply not eating meat, and rather, most deficiencies are caused by insane quantities of junk food, sugary foods, and high levels of fat. Vegans and vegetarians eat far more fruit and vegetables than the average meat-eater. So, they usually receive higher concentrations of minerals and vitamins, meaning that supplements are no dietary requirement for vegans.

Got Milk?

Another misconception attributed to non-meat eaters is that they have to drink dairy milk; otherwise, they cannot get enough calcium. This is a massive misconception and one that is quite amusing, actually. Those who choose to embark on a non-vegan diet have an abundance of plants available to them that provide calcium in much larger quantities than that is delivered by milk. Kale, for example, is a great way to get calcium. Additionally, fortified plant milk has just as much (if not more) calcium than dairy milk does. Another misconception rebutted!

Not Suitable for Children

Many proponents of meat-eating diets have suggested that vegan diets are not suitable for children. This, again, is wrong. In fact, the British Diabetic Association has suggested that a vegan diet, as long as it is well thought out and carefully planned, is suitable for people of all ages, including children. 

Others believe it is unfair to deprive children of snacks and junk food and feed them healthy snacks. But it is quite evident that point is ridiculous and children are far better off eating more nourishing foods than junk food. This is a misconception that has gained a lot of traction as one of the points that are most often brought up in debates about veganism – but is clearly wrong.

Weakness

Others believe that a vegan or vegetarian diet will make you weak. This is, again, wrong. In fact, Germany’s strongest man and two of the most famous tennis players of our generation have all been vegan. Weakness is only a by-product of a diet that is lacking in minerals and vitamins – not a vegan or vegetarian diet. Providing you receive your daily intake of calories, minerals, and vitamins, then weakness should and will not be a problem for you.

Hunger Pangs

Some believe that a vegan or vegetarian diet will leave you hungry all of the time and that you will not be filled up after your meals. As was suggested earlier on in this article, providing that you eat carefully planned and regimented meals, then you will not be hungry all of the time, nor craving food. A vegan or vegetarian diet can quite easily fill you up, and it is absolutely ludicrous to suggest otherwise. This is one of the suggestions most often made by proponents of meat-eating diets – but it is simply only made because they personally are not content with vegetables and fruit and is not an actual reflection of veganism.

Boooring…

Some also believe that a vegan or vegetarian diet is boring and that there are not many choices when it comes down to meal planning. A diet free from meat can still be very exciting and can still be unique and differ every single day. While more planning will have to go into it, you can still derive great pleasure from vegan food, and it is not simply restricted to salads and bowls of lettuce.

Now, with the help of this page, you know seven misconceptions commonly attributed to meat-free diets. Eating a meat-free diet can mean leading a healthier life, but this is not an option for everybody. If you plan to take on a meat-free diet, give it serious consideration and consult a nutritionist.