Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Veganism
How do Vegans get protein?
Protein deficit is one of the biggest lies ever sold to the American public. Truth is, plants are an abundant source of protein. If one eats a balanced diet of fruits, grains, legumes, vegetables, and nuts, he or she will get all the protein they need. What they will NOT get is sick from the side-effects of an animal-based diet.
Aren’t Vegans and Vegetarians the same?
Well, not exactly. Vegans do not eat meat of any kind, including that which comes from fish. They also do not consume any animal by-products such as milk, eggs, cheese, etc. Vegetarians also abstain from the consumption of meat of all kinds, but some do consume animal by-products. Vegans are in that sense strict vegetarians.
Isn’t it natural to eat animals?
No, not really. It may be natural for animals to eat each other, but that’s not true for humans. When we was the last time you saw a human being use his senses to sniff out a prey? Ever saw one plunge their teeth into the back of a live cow? Eating animals is by no means natural for us. By contrast, you can walk outside, pick a strawberry and eat it, as one vegan blogger remarked.
But what about taste? Doesn’t vegan food taste terrible?
Taste just might be the biggest reason why many people avoid making the switch to a vegan diet. Not only can vegan dishes be tasty, they can often be more flavorful that highly processed, meat-oriented foods. As you’ll discover, Come Back Vegan believes that you should not have to sacrifice taste on the altar of better health. To be sure, your palate will have adjust to the new tastes of a plant-based diet, but once it does you will never regret the change. You will feel like a million bucks!
What about energy? Meat gives me energy.
It might surprise you to learn that many of the most successful marathoners and ultra-marathoners are completely vegan. Don’t take our word for it. Google Damian Stoy, Alister Gardner, Jim Morris (body builder), or Vlad Ixel. These athlete are champion ultra-athletes often completing races of 50 to 100 miles in length. How’s that for energy? Plant-based diets have been proven to increase endurance with no side effects whatsoever. Even Beyoncé is championing “The 22 Day Revolution” a vegan diet.
What about calcium?
You can get all the calcium you need in plant-based foods. Foods like spinach, kale, broccoli, collard greens, almonds and sesame seeds are high in calcium. In addition to that, some foods like soymilk, nut milks, and energy bars are fortified with calcium. The body spends calcium as it processes animal protein, salt, and caffeine. When there is not enough calcium available in the diet, it borrows it from the bones. Our western diet provides two to three times the Recommended Daily Allowance of protein. Our western diet also provides ten to twenty times more salt than the body needs. It becomes almost impossible for the body to have enough calcium to balance the losses. Over decades, the bones become brittle and weak. The best option is to combine a calcium supplement with a reduction of animal protein, salt, and caffeine.
What about iron?
You can take a iron supplement to fortify you diet but many of the plant based foods that are high in calcium are also high in iron. Examples include spinach, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and soybeans.
What about Vitamin B-12?
We recommend that you get a vegan vitamin supplement, since this vitamin is not found in plant-based foods. Vitamin B-12 is made by bacteria and is important for optimal nerve health and development. B-12 can be found on soiled plants that have not been adequately washed but this is and unreliable source and not recommended. You can also get B-12 from fortified foods.
Does being vegan mean lots of food preparation?
Not really. You can cook food from scratch, or convenience foods (frozen vegan foods, canned, restaurants, etc.) Many of us do a combination, just like everyone else.
What are the best milk substitutes?
It is important to keep an open mind and try a few options. Commercial options can easily be found in most grocery stores. If you like sweet milks than vanilla soymilk may work for you. Original soymilk is good for baking and making gravy. Almond milk works well if you don’t have nut allergies. Coconut milk can be high in calories and rice milk has a thinner and lighter taste.
How do Vegans get protein?
Protein deficit is one of the biggest lies ever sold to the American public. Truth is, plants are an abundant source of protein. If one eats a balanced diet of fruits, grains, legumes, vegetables, and nuts, he or she will get all the protein they need. What they will NOT get is sick from the side-effects of an animal-based diet.
Aren’t Vegans and Vegetarians the same?
Well, not exactly. Vegans do not eat meat of any kind, including that which comes from fish. They also do not consume any animal by-products such as milk, eggs, cheese, etc. Vegetarians also abstain from the consumption of meat of all kinds, but some do consume animal by-products. Vegans are in that sense strict vegetarians.
Isn’t it natural to eat animals?
No, not really. It may be natural for animals to eat each other, but that’s not true for humans. When we was the last time you saw a human being use his senses to sniff out a prey? Ever saw one plunge their teeth into the back of a live cow? Eating animals is by no means natural for us. By contrast, you can walk outside, pick a strawberry and eat it, as one vegan blogger remarked.
But what about taste? Doesn’t vegan food taste terrible?
Taste just might be the biggest reason why many people avoid making the switch to a vegan diet. Not only can vegan dishes be tasty, they can often be more flavorful that highly processed, meat-oriented foods. As you’ll discover, Come Back Vegan believes that you should not have to sacrifice taste on the altar of better health. To be sure, your palate will have adjust to the new tastes of a plant-based diet, but once it does you will never regret the change. You will feel like a million bucks!
What about energy? Meat gives me energy.
It might surprise you to learn that many of the most successful marathoners and ultra-marathoners are completely vegan. Don’t take our word for it. Google Damian Stoy, Alister Gardner, Jim Morris (body builder), or Vlad Ixel. These athlete are champion ultra-athletes often completing races of 50 to 100 miles in length. How’s that for energy? Plant-based diets have been proven to increase endurance with no side effects whatsoever. Even Beyoncé is championing “The 22 Day Revolution” a vegan diet.
What about calcium?
You can get all the calcium you need in plant-based foods. Foods like spinach, kale, broccoli, collard greens, almonds and sesame seeds are high in calcium. In addition to that, some foods like soymilk, nut milks, and energy bars are fortified with calcium. The body spends calcium as it processes animal protein, salt, and caffeine. When there is not enough calcium available in the diet, it borrows it from the bones. Our western diet provides two to three times the Recommended Daily Allowance of protein. Our western diet also provides ten to twenty times more salt than the body needs. It becomes almost impossible for the body to have enough calcium to balance the losses. Over decades, the bones become brittle and weak. The best option is to combine a calcium supplement with a reduction of animal protein, salt, and caffeine.
What about iron?
You can take a iron supplement to fortify you diet but many of the plant based foods that are high in calcium are also high in iron. Examples include spinach, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and soybeans.
What about Vitamin B-12?
We recommend that you get a vegan vitamin supplement, since this vitamin is not found in plant-based foods. Vitamin B-12 is made by bacteria and is important for optimal nerve health and development. B-12 can be found on soiled plants that have not been adequately washed but this is and unreliable source and not recommended. You can also get B-12 from fortified foods.
Does being vegan mean lots of food preparation?
Not really. You can cook food from scratch, or convenience foods (frozen vegan foods, canned, restaurants, etc.) Many of us do a combination, just like everyone else.
What are the best milk substitutes?
It is important to keep an open mind and try a few options. Commercial options can easily be found in most grocery stores. If you like sweet milks than vanilla soymilk may work for you. Original soymilk is good for baking and making gravy. Almond milk works well if you don’t have nut allergies. Coconut milk can be high in calories and rice milk has a thinner and lighter taste.