Why You Should Never Go Vegan
Plant-based diets are becoming more popular every day. Celebrities, athletes, and even regular people are giving up meat and dairy in favor of a vegan lifestyle.
It seems like going vegan would be a no-brainer. After all, it’s generally considered to be better for your health and the environment, and animals will thank you for it.
But veganism isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, not by a long shot. Though there are indeed many benefits, there are equally as many downsides to becoming vegan. In this article, we’ll discuss some of them.
14 reasons why you shouldn’t go vegan
1. You’ll miss out on essential nutrients
Vegans often miss out on essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, zinc, and iron.
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Zinc and iron are found in dark leafy greens, but they’re not as easily absorbed by the body as they are from animal sources.
As a result, vegans are at risk of deficiencies in these important nutrients. This will mean taking more supplements, which can get expensive.
2. You might gain weight
Many people go vegan in an effort to lose weight. However, research has shown that vegan diets can actually lead to weight gain.
This is because some vegan food tends to be high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Carbs are fine in moderation, but when they make up the bulk of your diet, they can lead to weight gain.
Another reason is that a lot of junk food is considered suitable for vegans. Things like French fries, potato chips, and cookies are often vegan-friendly, but they’re not exactly healthy.
3. You’ll have to say goodbye to your favorite foods
Love cheese? How about a nice steak? If you go vegan, you’ll have to say goodbye to all of your favorite foods.
And while there are some decent vegan replacements for these foods, they’re often not as good as the real thing. So if you’re not ready to give up your favorite meals, veganism might not be for you.
4. You’ll always be hungry
Some vegan diets tend to be high in carbs and low in fat and protein. This can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, which can leave you feeling hungry all the time.
If you find yourself always snacking or never feeling satisfied, it might be a sign that your vegan diet isn’t giving you enough of the right nutrients.
5. You might get sick more often
As mentioned above, vegans are at risk of developing certain deficiencies. These deficiencies can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick.
You might also start to look more sickly and pallid, and notice that your hair, skin, and nails are not as healthy as they used to be.
6. It’s expensive
Eating a plant-based diet can be expensive. Fresh fruits and vegetables, along with quality vegan meats and cheeses, usually cost a lot more than their non-vegan counterparts.
It’s not a diet for the poor or those living in deprived areas. Local supermarkets tend to overprice vegan items, so you’ll be forced to pay a premium for your food.
7. Your restaurant choices will be severely limited
If you like to eat out, you might have a hard time finding restaurants that cater to vegans. Even if a restaurant does have vegan options, there are far fewer of them, and they’re often not as good as non-vegan dishes.
You’ll also always have to check the menu in advance to make sure there’s something suitable for you to eat. This can be a hassle, and it might mean that you have to pass on going out with friends or family.
8. Your social life will suffer
If you’re the only vegan in your friend group, you might find yourself sitting out on a lot of social gatherings that revolve around food. Pizza parties and barbecues can be pretty tough when you can’t eat anything there!
You’ll also find that people are less willing to invite you over for dinner since they’ll have to make a special meal just for you. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
9. You’ll have to check product ingredients thoroughly
Vegans have to be extra careful about the ingredients in the products they use. Many everyday items, such as shampoo, lotion, and makeup, contain animal products.
This means that you’ll have to spend a lot of time reading labels and doing research to make sure that the products you’re using are vegan.
10. You’ll have anxiety about accidentally eating animal products
If you’re a strict vegan, you’ll always have to be careful about accidentally consuming animal products. This can be a challenge, as animal products are often hidden in food.
For example, many processed foods contain eggs or dairy. And even some “vegan” foods, such as candy and baked goods, might contain animal products.
This anxiety can take a toll on your mental health and make it difficult to stick to a vegan diet.
11. You could lose a lot of weight
Of course, the inverse of number 2 on this list is that you could lose too much weight. This is especially true if you’re coming from a Standard American Diet (SAD) which is heavy in animal products and processed foods.
Veganism can help you to cut out a lot of unhealthy foods and make healthier choices. But if you’re not careful, you could end up losing too much weight, which can lead to other health problems.
12. You’ll have to cook more often
Since most of the takeaway and convenience food will be off-limits, be prepared to constantly make your meals from scratch. This can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you’re a busy person.
It could even lead to you skipping meals or eating unhealthy foods because you don’t have time to cook.
13. It’s boring
The world of veganism has come a long way in recent years. But even with all the new products and recipes, some people still find it boring.
You’ll be unable to enjoy the world’s most delicious cuisines, as they usually contain meat or meat products. This will not only make mealtime less enjoyable, but it can also lead to cravings and temptation.
14. You’ll be judged by others
Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of prejudice against vegans. Veganism is often considered a pretentious or hippie lifestyle, so people might see you as being “extreme” or “self-righteous.”
You might even be ridiculed by others or treated like a second-class citizen. This can be tough to deal with, and it might make you feel isolated.
Conclusion
There is certainly a way to do veganism correctly, or at least do it in a way that makes it healthy and sustainable. But even if you do everything right, there are still many challenges that you’ll face.
Before going vegan, be sure to do your research and understand the lifestyle. This will help you prepare for the challenges, and it might make it easier for you to stick with it long-term.