Veganism is certainly a hot button issue in the nutritional and fitness space these days. There are many misconceptions about Veganism, from the protein source debate, to B-12 vitamin deficiency. With Veganism on the rise, many myths are circling about the Vegan lifestyle and its pros and cons.We decided to reach out to ACE Certified Health Coach, Fitness Instructor, and Vegan Athlete Daria Deptula, to have her bust some of these Vegan Myths. Daria is a fitness instructor at Sobekick Gym in Miami Beach and Fitbox Method in Downtown Miami. She also offers Online Coaching, Vegan Nutrition Guidance and Fitness Programs.Here are four Vegan myths Daria says are just not true.Myth 1: Vegans do not get enough proteinOne of the first things any Vegan gets asked is “Where do you get your protein?” First, let’s start with how much protein a typical person needs on a daily basis. We have been programmed to believe we need huge amounts of protein, and because of this, most people intake about 2-3 times the daily amount needed from animal products. A typical American consumes around 270lbs of meat a year. That’s more than any other country on the planet!The truth is, our bodies only need 10-25% of our daily calorie consumption to come from protein. That means, a typical person needs around 50 grams of protein a day. However, that excludes body builders and professional athletes, or anyone looking to build muscle, but even then, the protein intake is not as high as everyone believes it to be.Protein is in everything, from broccoli to tofu. There are many alternative sources of protein. There are also mock meats and plant based supplements which are great protein options.
Myth 2: Vegans are nutrient deficient, especially B-12Most Americans do not meet their daily vitamin, mineral and fiber requirements, making this argument a stretch. Vegan or not, Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables in a day to meet these dietary requirements.However, when a person switches to a whole food plant based diet, that nutrient intake tends to spikes up. The animal protein gets substituted for vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, automatically raising the fiber and nutrient intake our bodies crave.As for the B-12 dilemma. Our bodies store B-12 in the liver. It takes 3 to 5 years for the reserves to deplete if no form of this vitamin is being consumed on a daily basis. Yes, it is true that most animal products are high in B-12, however, there are many foods fortified with the vitamin, like nutritional yeast seasoning, which in itself, is a great addition to any meal. B-12 can also be consumed in a supplement form.Myth 3: Vegans eat salads all dayThis myth is so funny to me, and so far from the truth! Yes, Vegans do tend to eat many more veggies and fruits than a typical person, but that doesn’t mean it’s all spinach, kale, and wheat grass.My diet has personally become so much more diverse and colorful. From colorful acaì smoothie bowls for breakfast, to delicious veggie burgers or quinoa bowls for lunch, and seared tempeh or lentil dishes for dinner, a Vegan diet will never get boring.We live in the world where social media has become so popular, there are ton of Vegan recipes on most social media platforms.
Myth 4: Veganism is a dietVeganism is a lifestyle change. While some people become Vegan for health reasons, they soon find other benefits in going Vegan, like being a contributing factor in saving the animals and our planet.Animal agriculture is a leading cause to most of the environmental issues we are currently facing. Deforestation, overfishing and pollution are just a few examples. According to the documentary “Cowspiracy,” our oceans will be fishless by 2048. 2048! That’s a little over 30 years from now.The bottom line is many people will question or dismiss ideas they don’t fully understand. It is better for someone to bombard a Vegan with questions, then dismiss it all together. The future belongs to the curious.
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