Problems With Vegan Eating Right Mentality

By Edward Mitchell


Being a vegan isn't so unusual any more. Still, once you decide to become one, you will have to prepare yourself to all kinds of questions. Every decision concerning your life is your own, and you don't have to justify such decisions to anyone, or spending time explaining the vegan eating right mentality to people around you.

But, if you would like to explain the basis, the most understandable thing to say would be that it is a diet based on foods that have no animal products whatsoever, and this includes not only meat, but also eggs and all dairy products such as milk, cheese etc. Vegetarians, on the other hand, do eat milk and eggs, and don't eat meat and meat based products.

It is really important to get some essential minerals and vitamins. B12, for example, is contained in animal products and has to be replaced with different supplements. B12 keeps your nerve and blood cells healthy, and deficiency leads to tiredness, constipation and weakness. Other symptoms include various problems with nerves or even depression.

Protein deficiency may also cause different issues. The reason for this is the fact that protein breaks into amino acids that promote cell regeneration and growth. Since protein can be found mostly in animal foods, it's important to replace it with soy, quinoa, lentils and similar natural sources of protein. Experts say that every person needs around a gram of protein for every kilogram of a body weight.

Several minerals are highly important, for example calcium. All dairy products contain high levels of calcium, but it can also be found in some other foods, for example in almonds, kale, soy products and many other tasty foods. Milk replacements are generally great sources for calcium, including soy and almond milk. Almond milk can be easily made in your own kitchen.

Another important mineral is iron. It is sometimes hard to absorb, although there are different supplements containing it. The one that can be found in animal products is easily absorbed by human body. It can also be found in legumes, some dark green vegetables and various seeds, for example in sunflower seeds. Taking vitamin C is really important here, because it promotes iron absorption. Besides, vitamin C is also one of the most powerful anti oxidants.

Soy is perfectly fine if you don't take over-processed soy products only. These products may contain all sorts of chemicals you don't want to have in your diet. Miso, tempek and tofu are fine, but you can make your own soy based foods as well. There are so many good cookbooks today, and combining soy flakes with fresh vegetables in your kitchen is one much better solution.

Another thing you should take into consideration is reading all product labels. You might get surprised to see how much strange ingredient you might find there. For example, gelatin based topping in fruity ice cream. Red color in sweets is made by processing dried ants. Lovely color, but really disgusting idea. Vegans are generally much happier people, if you didn't know.




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