I have a bunch of friends who are vegan. I’m not- but I do follow vegan rules when I am eating outside the home. Vegan means the food is going to meet the rules of Kashrut.
So, I was terrible dismayed when I read this new article. You might be also.
In our zeal to eat healthier, many of us migrate to choosing a vegan dish. Some others chose veganism to avoid harming animals. Others still bemoan the greenhouse gases that are the products of the livestock industry. (I bet few of them see how much water it takes to grow a pound of almonds!) That is, unless we read the ingredients on that stuff we’re buying.
Basically, the rule has to be – What’s in them, what’s not in them, and why are you choosing this (what product are you replacing)?
We have to realize that these plant-based meat products have been altered in some (many?) ways to get them to be what they are. They are no longer “natural” products. Stuff has been added to yield texture and flavor- typically salt, sugar, and or fat.
Would you be surprised to find that meat-free “burgers” contain more salt than meat burgers? (Have hypertension? Cardiac issues? These may not be so healthy to ingest.)
There is even some question (not for me) that soya is problem. Sure, it’s a “complete” protein. (It’s nutritional value is about the same as animal protein.) And, there’s data that it helps stave off obesity and osteoporosis, but it does yield estrogen-like effects (beware if you have breast cancer). But that claim that soya can help lower cholesterol? It’s been debunked.
While the vegan diet generally has high nutritional quality than those who prefer a meat-based diet, those choosing that diet have greatly augmented their ingestion of ultra-processed foods (it’s 40% of their energy intake versus 33% for meat-eaters). That’s why many vegans (who include processed food in their choice) are more likely to be overweight or obese.
Let us not forget the studies that indicate eating ultra-processed foods are dangerous. One such study indicated that our risk for early death increases by 62% if we eat four servings of processed food a day.
And, too many vegans don’t realize that they are lacking in iron, Vitamin B12, omega-3’s, and calcium. Not to mention those plant-based “milk” items that are lacking in protein, Vitamin B12, iodine, and a slew of other nutrients. And, those plant-based “cheeses” are high in salt and fat (just like regular cheese)- yet lack some of the cheese nutrients.
But, if you lay off the processed foods, that vegan diet does provide for enhanced gut microbiota. (Both to reduce body weight and provide better blood glucose levels.)
All I’m saying is consider your whole diet choices- carefully.
I was vegan for 10 years, way before processed vegan foods were available. Having nothing premade in the stores forced me to cook healthier. It’s easier to be vegan now but Roy you are so right, it’s more difficult to be vegan and eat healthy.
Victoria Juster recently posted..Deepening Relationships By Being Present
It takes a lot of ingenuity and time, Victoria. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Thanks for the info. I’m lacking in iron since I don’t eat enough meat.
Haddock, cod, spinach, and broccoli- get that iron, Amanda!
Wow, I have never seen vegan salmon, but I’m shocked to learn there’s barely any protein in there! Wouldn’t that be THE reason to eat fish?
I keep saying, people who eat a vegan diet for the right reasons, good for them. However, those who just blindly join a cool and trendy lifestyle will replace one “evil” by another, not considering how their plant-based foods were grown, harvested, processed and transported. That vegan chicken-avocado-quinoa bowl may not be so environmental friendly anymore.
Tamara recently posted..Ultimate Blog Challenge – Day 8: Best Part of the Day
I stick with quinoa with beans, tomatoes, and jalapenos, Tamara!
I love when you share your knowledge about something practical and helpful to most of us. (Although I do love how you make me think about things I wouldn’t normally think about too!)
I am highly sensitive to anything soy based, so vegan isn’t an option for me.
I’ve always leaned toward foods produced as close to the way it has been for hundreds of years—without the fillers and natural flavors added.
Thanks, Roy!
Debi recently posted..10 Years
Glad to help you learn something new. Sorry about your soy sensitivity- since it seems the purveyors find a slew of things to insert some soya.
This is true. I have several friends who are vegetarian or vegan and this is always a big discussion. Even though there are many convenience vegan foods, you really need some good vegan or vegetarian cookbooks and the willingness to do some cooking.
Dominique Walton Brooks recently posted..Eight Dessert Tips for Your Eco-Thanksgiving Celebration
I’m with you, Dominique. Except when I realized I was starving last night at 9:10 PM, I resorted to an ultimate burger. Dinner in 5 minutes… (replete with a thin round, cucumber slices, and tomato wedges. Oh- and wine!
I always wondered if those plant based meats were healthy. I just felt they can’t be. Whole natural foods are always best..
Until they decrease the sodium level and do a better job of protein substitution, you are probably right, Cheryl.
Strange that I read this on a day when I found out that my company’s diversity committee was discussing what changes they could make to our annual Thanksgiving dinner (our company has a tradition of serving employees a (non-kosher) turkey dinner a week or two before Thanksgiving – last year and this year it’s takeout) to offer an option to those who aren’t meat eaters or couldn’t indulge in the luncheon for religious reasons. I immediately thought of tofurky. Soy and processed! Apparently there are also turkey substitutes made from quorn. Again, highly processed. I understand the push towards these products (and the plant based “milks”) but there’s always a cost. Highly processed is highly processed.
Alana recently posted..Don’t Look Back Except for Birthdays #MusicMovesMe
My vegan friends don’t even attempt to replicate the look or taste of the turkey. Instead, they settle for a more Native American menu vegetarian dish.
I need red meat and real ice cream in my diet. I’m all for healthy eating but I think I’m doing okay with what I eat.
Martha recently posted..Awesome Diaper Backpack
Red meat! Real Ice Cream! Let’s hear it for the paleo diet, Martha!
I’ve dabbled with vegetariansm but don’t think I could go the whole vegan (non)hog!
Nikki Pilkington recently posted..Does your business have a common language?
Cute comment! Thanks for adding to the conversation.