There’s no doubt that veganism has seen enormous global growth in recent years. As well as a surge in demand for vegan food products, Google Trends has shown a significant increase in search interest for the term ‘vegan’ over the past decade. Yet at least 6.9 billion of us are still following a meat-based diet, despite the established link between animal consumption and climate change. And with heatwaves, fires and floods now clear and frequent reminders of the effects our food choices are having, why is most of the world still sticking to its old dietary ways?
Whether you’re a committed vegan with the same question on your lips or you’ve been toying with the idea of ditching the meat diet but are still firmly on the fence, let’s address all the common fears that prevent people from taking the plant-based plunge.
‘I’ll be starving all the time.’
It’s no coincidence that this appears at the top of the list. The proverbial army does indeed march on its stomach, and doesn’t want to be marching to the fridge every hour. And while it’s true that new vegans need to adapt to going from a calorically dense diet to a nutrient-dense one, there are plenty of ways to keep those hunger pangs at bay, including choosing whole foods over processed ones, having an adequate amount of fibre and ensuring you always have some protein with a meal.
‘I’ll die of malnutrition.’
You’re far more likely to die of overeating with the recent explosion of meat-free options available. For every animal product you can think of, there’s a plant-based alternative out there – everything from pork to pizza has now been veganised.
‘I’ll end up an anaemic wreck.’
So long as you’re sensible and get the right nutrients in the right amounts, there’s evidence to suggest that the vegan diet is an extremely healthy one. In fact, in a University of Oxford study, vegans were found to have the highest intakes of not only iron but also dietary fibre, vitamins C and E, folate, magnesium, polyunsaturated fatty acids and copper. A plant-based diet is also said to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some mental-health illnesses.
‘But where will my protein come from?’
The short answer is, from non-animal sources. The long answer is, tofu, tempeh, edamame, seitan, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables, amaranth, quinoa, soy milk, oats, wild rice… And let’s not forget our much-maligned friends fruits and vegetables, which aren’t without their protein. There are even some vegan staples, such as black beans, soybeans and oatmeal, that pack a heftier protein punch than their carnivorous counterparts.
‘I haven’t got the money to go vegan.’
Actually, you’ll have more money if you go vegan. Check out the good news here. And feast your eyes on these budget vegan recipes.
‘I haven’t got the time to be chopping up vegetables.’
In a Veganuary study, it was found that vegan meals take a third of the time to prepare compared with anything involving meat or fish. A lot of vegan food can also be eaten raw. And if all else fails, there’s always the microwave – most supermarkets stock something meatless and microwavable.
‘Eating out will be a nightmare.’
Or maybe a dream come true if you find the right place. The good news is that more and more vegan restaurants are popping up all over the world in response to the rising trend in veganism. Even standard restaurants have at least a few vegan or semi-vegan items on the menu, and there are usually some vegan-friendly side dishes to fill up on. As a worst-case scenario, you could always try ordering a non-vegan dish and request that the animal part be left out.
‘But I wanna hit the gym and bulk up.’
Then join the likes of record-holding strongman and vegan Patrik Baboumian, who featured in the documentary The Game Changers. He’s one of numerous bodybuilders and athletes who chose to follow a vegan diet, thus proving that a plant-based way of life is no barrier to physical performance.
‘But man has always eaten meat in life.’
Man has done a lot of different things in life, not all of them in the name of peace and harmony. A history of having engaged in a certain act doesn’t seem a sound enough reason to repeat it. In short, we evolve and develop.
‘If I turn vegan, all my friends will abandon me and leave me to live a lonely, friendless life as a carrot-munching outcast.’
Let’s be honest, if your friends decided to desert you based on the type of thing that you put down your gullet, were they really true friends to begin with? If nothing else, your change of diet will be a test of their friendship. There may be moments when you find yourself caught up in the odd tug-of-war between peer pressure and principles, but just make sure you come out of it with an outcome that suits you and not feeling that you’ve turned people-pleasing into an extreme sport. Remember: it’s your life, not theirs. And – who knows? – maybe you’ll inspire your meat-eating mates to follow suit. After all, it just takes one brave person to start a new trend. It could be you!
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