Pros and Cons of a Vegan Diet
Like any other diet plans, a vegan diet has its own pros and cons. Here’s a list of the most common pros and cons of a vegan diet:
Pros of a vegan diet:
Vegan diet is good for your health
Following a plant-based vegan diet is a great way for anyone to stay healthy. The meat found in the supermarket often contains chemicals we shouldn’t ingest thus making it unhealthy.
Research shows following a plant-based vegan diet helps reduce the risks of developing the following:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- hypertension
- stroke
- obesity
- prostate cancer
- colon cancer
Good for animal welfare
Many people see animals raised for food the same way they see their loved pets. Those people feel these animals are not food, but friends.
Farm animals are thinking and feeling beings. They live most of their lives stuck in inhumane spaces. Many people think these animals should live a free life. This would be great for animal welfare.
Vegan diet makes you look and feel good
A plant-based vegan diet is a great way for you to develop healthier skin, hair, and nails thus making you look good. A vegan diet also aids in weight loss. Meat and dairy have been a common cause of acne.
Researchers also found out living a cruelty-free life has a great impact on one’s mood thus showing vegans with fewer signs of depression.
Vegan diet is good for our planet
Being vegan is a sustainable way to live. With less meat consumption, you have lowered your carbon and water footprint. Factories emit the most amount of greenhouse gases. Also, one pound of meat uses more water than you do in the shower.
Most fashion products are also switching to vegan products for our environment. We can now buy products such as shoes made from plastic bottles taken from the ocean and leather made from pineapple fiber and apple skin.
The cons of a vegan diet:
Vegans have a higher risk of micronutrient deficiency
Some essential nutrients could easily be found with meat and dairy. With vegan people skipping these, they have a higher risk of micronutrient deficiency from the following vitamins like
- B12
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- zinc
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There’s nothing a little food supplement couldn’t help. However, vegans should be careful with the nutrients they lack from what they eat.
Vegans may have limited food choices
Many vegan restaurants exist. But it’s still a struggle for vegans to choose what to eat – especially when dining out with friends who aren’t vegans.
You may choose what appears to be vegan but it isn’t always the case. For example, some vegetable soups may use broth made from animal bones – which makes them not vegan.
Unrealistic expectations
Most people think being vegan is always healthy but it’s not always the case. As we mentioned, vegans have a higher risk of micronutrient deficiencies if they’re not careful with what they are eating.
Some people also think being vegan is a quick way to lose weight. However, this isn’t always the case. Many vegan foods are considered unhealthy – especially when eaten a lot. For example: rice, white bread, and french fries to name a few.
The vegan diet requires a lot of diligence, patience, and research. Anything we do will have pros and cons. The same goes with our diets. It’s always best to consult with your doctor.