Are you concerned about the ethical issues of modern farming techniques? Do you feel guilty for consuming meat because of the psychological and physical stress that animals experience? Or are you looking for healthier diet options that can go hand in hand with your eco-friendly lifestyle?
The answer to all of these questions can be found in veganism.
But what exactly is veganism?
You can choose the vegan lifestyle for several reasons. Veganism is a way of living that avoids consuming animals and related products. In an attempt to boycott animal exploitation, cruelty, and breeding practices, vegans opt for plant-based meals choosing a diet that harms no one and is still nutritious enough.
With a diet that avoids eggs and animal milk, there are still enriched food options in the following categories: vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains.
But what if you want a burger? Craving something chewy? Want to have a high protein diet? Is being a vegan troublesome?
Of course not!
Vegans have a lot of options to satisfy meat cravings thanks to the Meat analog. Meat analog encompasses all forms of meat options derived from plants, more commonly known as plant-based meat or vegan meat. Yes, You read it right! It is meat made from plants! These vegan food options live up to their name. They mimic the meat flavor, appearance, and texture to a great degree that you might even forget you are not eating real meat. So you can look into vegan chicken options and devour a juicy patty burger or have vegan chicken sausages for breakfast, lunch and dinner alike.
The Myths About Veganism
Veganism has been subjected to many myths and misconceptions over the years, so it’s only natural for everyone to have tons of questions regarding the credibility of the movement, its impact, and practicality for those who practice.
If you’re new to veganism or vegan meat, you would likely want to know how it is created and whether it’s healthy. Let us answer!
A large variety of vegan chicken is made from soy, wheat gluten, or textured vegetable protein. Food processing relies on items that contain protein in bulk. As for answering whether vegan meat is healthy, we need to analyze this dietary option in depth while refuting some myths that might confuse you.
So let's dive in and debunk the three most common myths around vegan meats.
1. Vegan Meat Causes Malnourishment
Vegan meat originates from plants that have high protein content. Just like regular meat, vegan meat is packed with protein. Although it does not contain as much fat as its rival, the amount is sufficient enough to keep your diet balanced. The controlled amount of fat often helps in weight loss and prevents the risk of developing heart diseases – a high risk with red meat.
Plants are also a great source for healthy carbohydrate intake and vegan meat ensures that you get the necessary daily carbs intake. Vegan meat often comes with additional nutrients added to it, which gives it an upper hand in this battle. Moreover, soy is high in fiber as well as antioxidants, giving vegan meat an edge.
However, it is true that, unlike real meat, vegan meat lacks iron and vitamin B12. This small setback is rather easily recoverable by supplements or adding more vegan options rich in iron and B12.
Despite being found in red meat, meat eaters may still need B12 supplements to meet the body’s requirements due to its low-absorption properties. This brings us to the conclusion that eating real meat is not the only solution, and anyone can switch to vegan options without much to lose.
Fact: Veganism or vegan meat doesn’t cause malnourishment. Unbalanced and unchecked diet do.
2. Soy-Based Vegan Meat Puts You At Risk Of Breast Cancer
Yes, soy has compounds similar to the female hormone estrogen. And, yes, some studies have revealed that soy compounds resulted in breast cancer symptoms in rodents. However, this does not show any plausible link between human breast cancer and soy.
Experts say, “Rodents process soy differently from people, and the same results have not been seen in people”.
Hence a diet rich in soy, or our tasty vegan meat, is perfectly safe for consumption. There are no apparent risks of cancer with devouring vegan meat. Talking about the link between cancer and meat, it is noteworthy that studies conducted by the World Health Organization found that processed red meat increases the chances of cancer. This comparison establishes that vegan meat is a safer and healthier option considering the existence of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds in natural meat.
Fact: Soy-based vegan meat does not cause breast cancer.
3. Pregnant Women Need To Avoid Vegan Diets
For a pregnant woman, the dietary needs vary depending on the needs of the. A lot of women give up their vegan/vegetarian diets because of the misconception that meatless diets or diets free of milk and dairy would stunt the baby’s growth. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
The vegan diet does not harm the baby as long as it is well-planned and accommodates all the dietary requirements. Consulting with a healthcare provider or a nutritionist and going over the supplements can help achieve better health and satisfaction too.
Fact: Many factors affect the nutritional profile of pregnant women and veganism alone can’t be blamed. With a proper nutritional plan, there is no need for pregnant women to give up vegan diets.
In summary
Veganism is a fulfilling choice that benefits humans both ethically and nutritiously. Vegan meat is a healthy yet tasty diet option as it contains a lot of components of a balanced diet. Besides the added benefits of preventing diseases and assisting in weight loss, it is also considered a viable lifestyle choice for pregnant women and general consumers alike.
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