sangheilios
Master Don Juan
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2018
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You missed what I was saying. When we cut out vegan protein supplements, the plant based protein sources you will have are very high in either carbohydrates or fats. Beans are a really good example, they have a lot of protein but also are very high in carbohydrates. Nuts and nut butters have a good amount of protein but are also very high in fat. To get the amount of protein you'd need, assumming you are lifting/exercising, would require you to eat a lot of total calories and many of those sources are not ideal.Vegans not getting enough protein is a myth. All plants have protein, among a diverse spectrum of amino acids. Protein deficiency happens to people who are malnourished overall. No one eating >2,000 calories from plant-based foods will have a protein deficiency. Legumes in particular are high in protein, and either are complete sources on their own or when paired with grains (hence why half the world eats rice and beans).
The vegan vitamin deficiencies however are real. One of the reasons I still enjoy fish and fat free / low fat dairy.
Something else you should factor in is gut health. On a vegan diet it is very likely that you will be eating a lot of fiber, it may even be to the point where it's too much. Many of these foods are also difficult to digest and can give you some digestive issues. Beans are a very good example, a great food overall but not something you should be eating large quantities of.
Mineral deficiencies are a real thing though. Things like zinc are not as bioavailable in plant based foods as they are in meat, etc. Side note, there are literally no civilizations in history that were built around pure veganism....something to consider.
I feel some of the benefits of the vegan diet movement are real, though not directly related to the diet itself. One, it generally gets people off of processed foods, including low quality processed meats and dairy. It also encourages people to eat more fruits and vegetables, which is something that most westerners lack. In addition to this, people are eating more fiber, which again is something most people are not getting enough of. It's not rocket science, a diet that is higher in fiber, fruits and vegetables and removing processed foods will make one healthier and feel better. However, I do not believe that there is a reason to fully cut out animal products. Fat free greek yogurt is one of the best protein sources you can get and has very little calories. Fish, chicken and good cuts of meat provide a lot of protein and many nutrients that are limited in plant based foods, and these are in relatively small quantities as well.
I think you get the picture.