Why do people keep plugging a vegan diet?

[Anonymous]

When no doctor will recommend it, why does everyone keep insisting veganism is healthy? It's not. You don't get anywhere near enough iron and protein. Humans evolved to be omnivores, not herbivores. I've never seen a vegan who didn't end up sick because of their diet.

So why do you all keep trying to convince gullible people that it's good? It's like recommending smoking.

[Kiwedin]

There are plenty of doctors who support veganism and are vegan themselves. Doctors have an education based on illness, diagnosis, and treatment. The average doctor goes through about 4-6 hours of nutrition in their entire academic career, so really, anyone who has an interest in nutritional science and has done some googling can know more about nutrition than a doctor does. Dr. Neal Barnard, founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, is vegan and he specializes in the treatment of diabetes. Dr. David Jenkins, the man who created the glycemic index, is vegan and he's stated that using the index to control blood sugar or lose weight is pointless since a vegan diet improves both effortlessly. Dr. Kim Williams, president of the American College of Cardiology, is vegan and recommends a vegan diet since it is literally the only diet in the world that actually cleans out the arteries of the atherosclerotic buildup caused by animal protein (fun fact: omnivores and carnivores do not develop atherosclerosis, this only happens to herbivores who eat too much animal protein). Other doctors include Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. T. Collin Campbell, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, and so many more.
Seriously though, before you rip on veganism, please make sure that you actually did research. A quick google search of "vegan iron" would show you that vegans do not have lower rates of iron than omnivores. Iron deficiency happens more often to vegetarians though, since dairy blocks the absorption of iron. Also, a quick search of "vegan protein sources" would teach you about how much protein the human body actually needs, which on average is 40 grams per day. Only 2.5-5% of your daily calories need to come from protein and every single fruit and vegetable on the planet is at least over 3%. It's physically impossible to become protein deficient while eating a calorically sufficient diet, they don't even have a medical word for it. I'm vegan and I know a lot of other vegans who never got sick from veganism, if anything they've gotten healthier. I do know one person, but she was vegan for like two weeks and lived on oreos and pasta and any logical person would know that it wasn't veganism that made her sick, it was how she went about it.
Also, google "humans frugivores" and look in images. Compare yourself to an actual carnivore, omnivore, and even an herbivore. Humans are so clearly frugivores, it's not even a question anymore.

[Climber]

It all depends on your metabolism, but the golden rule in a good vegetarian meal is completeness. There are vegetable protein replacers, that should not be a problem. And some vitamins and minerals in meat or fish, you can also get from vegetarian equivalents. Iron is the most criticle. If your body is able to absorb vegetable iron, there is no problem. But, as in my case, I don't, and I need to eat a piece of red meat every week or two weeks to keep to level, but no more than that. And its true humans evolved from fructivores to omnivores, so everybody has to create the vegetarian meal that fits him. But diet is the wrong word. It should be complete meals

[Anpu23]

I've been vegetarian for over 20 years, I'm healthy and am very active (my wife and I biked 30 miles Sunday). Most humans don't need nearly the amount of protein that the average western diet provides. There are some doctors that do recommend a meatless diet, and certainly there are medical studies that support the beliefs that a meat free diet is more healthy. As for vegans the ONLY real mineral that they have trouble getting is B12, and that is easily synthesized, and is in beer. As for why most doctors don't recommend it is because most westerners won't accept it as a dietary option. No doctor is going to recommend a diet that they know the client will not follow. When I have told my doctors that I'm vegetarian most have said "good for you, it's probably more healthy" and not freaked out and insist on a bunch of tests. I'm 6 foot even and weigh about 190 for the record.

[MrTexan37]

Well being a 100% vegan will get you sick but eating large amounts of animal flesh will get you sick too lol humans were NOT made to eat meat plain and simple our bodies have long intestines for breaking down plant based food our teeth were made for eating plant based food if we had short intestines and sharp fanged teeth like a tiger we could eat meat all we want but we dont now that being said "I" personally eat a 80/20 diet thats 80% veggies and 20% meat and there's TONS of plant based foods that provide more than enough protien it doesn't all come from meat and dairy which by the way the human body has ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for any dairy products

[Asker]

Did I say we should eat all meat? No, I said humans evolved to be OMNIVORES. You're correct, humans don't need dairy, but neither will it make us sick. It is in fact, a good source of calcium, as we well know, which many people don't get enough of.

And no, most plant based foods don't provide enough protein. Nor do they provide the right types of fat and iron humans need to survive.

[MrTexan37]

Hahahaha you should look into it yes there's TONS of plant based foods that have protiens and yes dairy can make you sick as hell why dont you try living without dairy for two months i frikin PROMISE you you'll see a difference

[MrTexan37]

As a matter of FACT there is no need for meat or dairy products at all NONE but i like eating chicken fajitas so yeah i eat some meat

[Asker]

Unless you have a specific issue with dairy, it will not make you sick.

I'm an RN specialising in dietietics, I have in fact, 'looked into it'.

[MrTexan37]

Ooooo congrats you learned what america wants you to learn to make money in the medical field lol

[Asker]

Oh dear. See, there are countries other than the US. Many of us live in them. I am one of those people.

I learned what I did to help people who are misinformed about their own health. Unfortunately, some like yourself, seem to like being ignorant.

[MrTexan37]

Look at countries like china in the most rual areas you almost NEVER hear of cancers or high blood pressure or any other ailments and why is that? Cause they eat a purely plant based diet with no meat or dairy consumption they have no axcess to refrigeration so they can't store meat or dairy products but in the cities were they do you have all kinds of reported cases of cancers

Look at the world the people with the high breast cancer and other problems are the dutch with their high dairy consumptions america itsself is like number 3 in the world with cancer deaths and why? Caude we consume waaaaay more meat and dairy products than say china or thailand

[Asker]

You have no proof to claim that cancer is caused by meat and dairy.. That is a ridiculous statement. It is far more likely that higher rates of cancer in developed areas are caused by carcinogenic pollutants in air and water. We know this.

Are you done being foolish?

[MrTexan37]

And you have no proof that it doesn't are you done being blind

[Asker]

There is no link between the two, that is enough proof for the scientific community, though apparently not enough for the idiots of the world. You fall into the latter category.

[MrTexan37]

And we were doing so well keeping it civil

[itsallover]

I agree, a vegan diet is only really necessary when you have allergies to certain animal based products. Other than that, you'll be missing out on essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy wellbeing. A truly healthy diet is a balanced one with all the food groups included. I just roll my eyes when someone tells me they've turned vegan. It's nothing more than a fad that those hippyish people have taken on.

[BellePepper]

As far as I'm concerned it's a fad. There's no reason to reason to restrict your diet unnecessarily. Like if you're allergic to turkey, def avoid it! If not, you're making life more difficult for yourself and those around you for no reason. You can "cheat" whenever you want because it's a choice. Not a necessity.

[Agirlcalledkill]

Because big pharmas want to get rich and sell you meds you don`t need. All you need is cale and broccoli. Doctors are evil too, they study all their lives just to get free holidays paid by pharm companies. That`s why.

[Asker]

That was one of the stupidest things I've ever read. Good work.

[Agirlcalledkill]

Because I was joking, I`m a med student! Xd (but I really heard those things by some vegans).

[Asker]

Oh thank god. You're alright xD

[fauchelevent]

I've seen lots of vegan people who have ended up fine because of their diet. As long as you take supplements, you should be okay.

[Asker]

Oh yes, because taking supplements is a sign your diet is perfect... Wait, no, it's the opposite.

[fauchelevent]

There's no problem with taking supplements. My one vegan friend has anameia (had it before they became vegan, so it's not a cause and effect situation here) and has to take iron tablets. He's perfectly fine other than pre-existing conditions which could not have been caused by his veganism.

[Asker]

Anaemia is a symptom of various underlying disorders, and instead of dumping iron supplements on him, his doctor should have investigated further.

Iron tablets can have major ill effects on the GI tract.

Supplements do indeed mean something is wrong, and should not be a replacement for poor diet.

[Agirlcalledkill]

I think what she`s trying to say that a diet that requires you to take supplements isn`t providing all the nutrients that you need. Which is true, so how can it be healthy if you need to take supplements? (And how are these supplements ethical vegan if they`re sold by those companies that many vegans blame?)

[fauchelevent]

As far as I know, he has been taking supplements since he was a child. I can't tell you how far the investigation into the cause of it went. Many people do survive on a vegan diet with no more ill effects than a diet including meat can have.

[fauchelevent]

@Agirlcalledkill I mean that there are many reasons why someone might need to take supplements, even if they're not necessarily vegan, even if they're on a diet that involves meat. Instead of simply condemning a vegan diet, surely if the argument is that diets that require supplements are wrong, then we must condemn anyone who has to take supplements for any other reason too. (This doesn't make much sense to read, I'm sorry!)

[Asker]

No, I'm not saying taking supplements itself is bad. You're correct, some people require them for other issues. My point about anaemia was separate, and is a side note that anaemia is a symptom, not a cause, and most doctors don't investigate it enough.

But any diet that requires you to take a supplement, is, by definition, not providing you with adequate nutrition.

[fauchelevent]

But there's a chance that you won't get nutrition from an omnivore diet too, isn't there?

[Asker]

Yes, and that means your diet needs to be altered. Perhaps you're not eating enough calcium. You could take a supplement, or change your diet to include more calcium rich foods. Same with any nutrient. This goes for veganism too. If someone requires diet supplements, they should alter their diet instead. (Unless of course, they happen to be allergic or intolerant to something. In that case, they should DEFINITELY NOT eat that thing.)

[Agirlcalledkill]

@fauchelevent No, I get what you`re saying. I think everyone should eat the diet that most fits him/her (I`m a vegetarian myself) and I`m not blaming anyone for taking meds/supplements. But the thing is that many vegans (maybe not your friend, I don`t know) claim that their diet is the PERFECT and healthiest diet for everyone (which clearly is not). That`s the problem.

[Asker]

@Agirlcalledkill Yes this is what I was trying to get across. Maybe I didn't word it in the best way.

[fauchelevent]

That makes sense :) I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian (though I am considering it), so all I can tell you is from what I've heard from or seen from my friends.

[HereForTheDay]

You are correct. It lacks protein and some critical vitamins and lipids

[Kiwedin]

It really doesn't. Do some research.

[HereForTheDay]

I'm sorry it is a poor diet. You need protein and some of that from animal sources or milk. There are certain amino acids that are poorly represented in plants. From the standpoint of vitamins you need to take a supplement. But I am sure that supplemented, you can make it work. You need to closely monitor calcium and certain fats (there are lipids that you need to live. )
Most of the vegan diets I have looked into are naively formulated, representing a lack of planning and knowledge. I hope you have looked into yours realistically rather than emotionally.

[knight1986]

i don't do that. i'm vegetarian but don't go around telling people its healthier

[genericname85]

because it´s about unnecessary torture and death of other living beings. i can totally understand that argument but i still chose to stai omnivore XD

[genericname85]

*stay

[Anonymous]

I'm not vegan, but look up the channel Vegan Gains on YouTube. He provides a lot of research.