If you're a vegan or have recently become one, you're probably surrounded by random assumptions about veganism from all directions. As the world adopts veganism as an alternative option for a healthy lifestyle, veganism in India is growing by leaps and bounds. Replacing meat with healthy vegan food, and opting for 'cruelty-free' options is emerging as a popular lifestyle. An increasing number of people are adopting a holistic lifestyle that includes a clean diet and a conscious way of life, fueled by healthy and fresh produce-oriented alternatives. But half-baked knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge. We dispel myths about vegan food and fitness.
1. Vegan Food Is Expensive
When it comes to vegan food, there is a common misconception that it is a high-end food habit reserved for the wealthy. A typical vegan diet consists of low-cost vegetables, fruits, rice, whole grains, and legumes. These vegan food ingredients are widely available and much less expensive than expensive animal products. The catch in this scenario is that if people buy more ready-to-eat foods or a specific vegan brand of food, they will most likely have to pay more for that food.
2. Dairy Products Cannot Be Replaced
This is a common myth about dairy products that are promoted by many people in society. One that we have been taught is that dairy products, such as milk, help bones to become stronger; however, dairy products are the carriers of calcium, which is the cause of bone strength. Calcium is important for more than just bone strength; it also aids in many other healthy body functions such as muscle contraction, blood clotting, blood pressure, and nerve signalling. This necessitates that every vegan consumes adequate calcium. When it comes to getting calcium from vegan foods, there are plenty of options, including spinach, soy-based foods, figs, beans, chia, lentils, peas, sesame seeds, almonds, and turnips.
3. Veganism Means Strict Diet
It is difficult to undo our comfortable and habituated habits and adopt such a contrasting lifestyle when we try to break them. Many people are accustomed to eating certain foods in particular ways, and choosing an alternative ingredient is not easy. The truth is that switching to plant-based diets and satisfying cravings while on a vegan diet is very simple. As people become more interested in veganism, a plethora of vegan culinary options are emerging. The most powerful motivator for choosing a vegan lifestyle is to choose a balanced plant-based diet that also helps nourish a healthy mind and body.
4. Vegan Diet Lacks Protein
People are obsessed with getting protein only from animal products. However, they are unaware that many plant-based ingredients, including broccoli, spinach, lentils, oats, nuts, quinoa, seeds, tofu, and beans, contain enough protein to support a healthy human body. Red meat consumption has been linked to diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, and obesity issues in studies all over the world. The simple fact about animal-based protein is that the animals' consumption of plants demonstrates that the protein is obtained from the plants.
5. Vegans And Vegetarians Are The Same
This is the most common assumption that many encountered, particularly in India, which has a sizable vegetarian population. Vegans avoid eating meat, eggs, milk, or any dairy product derived from or containing animal products. Vegetarians do not eat meat, but they do consume dairy products in large quantities in most cases.
6. Soy Milk Is The Only Substitute For Animal Milk
There are plenty of other plant-based milk options besides soy, though that may be the most popular. Other alternatives to animal milk include coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, hazelnut milk, hemp milk, and rice milk.
7. Veganism Is Tough
Making a lifestyle change and getting into the habit of anything new can be difficult. However, if you stick to the plan, a vegan diet will become second nature to you. Do your research to find flavorful vegan substitutes for many of your favourite foods. There are numerous resources available to help you get started with your vegan lifestyle. And the more you learn about veganism (or any subject, for that matter), the easier it is to navigate and continue forward.
Parting Words
You already know the answer. Veganism does not cost more than a meat-eating lifestyle. Sure, organic foods and cosmetics will be more expensive than commercial animal-based products on the market, but this is due to the demand-supply ratio. When the demand for organic products increases, the price will automatically decrease. More importantly, your monthly budget will balance out once you realise you won't be purchasing as many animal products.