Today, almost 10 million people practice vegetarianism. But only around 1 million of them are pure vegans!
Whether you want to switch from vegetarianism to veganism, or just want to hop straight into it, there are ways to make the transition easier.
Are you interested in hearing more? Then here are 5 common vegan dieting mistakes you should watch out for.
1. Not Eating Enough Calories
Depending on your body weight and activity level, there’s a certain number of calories you have to eat to stay healthy and energetic.
Many people think that vegan means eating just raw vegetables, which can cause a severe lack of calories. However, it’s so much more than that!
There are plenty of vegan products out there that taste good, give you fuel for the day, and provide the nutrients and calories you need on a daily basis. We promise it’s not just raw veggies!
2. Thinking All Vegan Products Are Good for You
On the flip side of things, many people think that the label of “vegan” on products means they’re healthy for you. But that’s not always true!
For example, fake meat products usually have tons of artificial ingredients. This can actually make the products less wholesome than their non-vegan counterparts.
Just like there’s junk food with regular omnivores, there’s definitely junk food for vegans. So watch out and read those food labels to make sure you’re ingesting healthy products!
3. Switching Your Diet Instantly
Switching your diet instantly might work for some people. But for most, it can be too drastic of a change, which can turn you off of veganism completely.
Instead, take it slowly. Maybe replace the milk and cheese you eat with vegan products for a week or month. Also, decrease the amount of meat you eat daily.
Before you know it, you’ll be a vegan, and without much effort too!
4. Not Getting Enough Vitamins and Nutrients
When you give up animal products, it can be easy to end up with a lack of vital vitamins and nutrients. More specifically, many vegans don’t get enough vitamin B12, iron, calcium, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
You can easily make up for these deficiencies by taking a good multivitamin every day. Keeping up with this can help you maintain your energy levels, as many of the above vitamins and nutrients are vital in helping your cells reproduce and create energy.
5. Giving up Veganism When Dining Out
It’s true that most restaurants cater mainly to meat-eaters. But the fact is, you don’t necessarily have to eat at a vegan restaurant to keep up with veganism!
To be on the safe side, you can always order a salad where you know every ingredient. However, there are plenty of websites and apps where you can find either vegan restaurants and/or vegan dishes at local spots.
Avoid These Vegan Dieting Mistakes
Now you know some of the most common vegan dieting mistakes. With this new knowledge, it should be a little easier to transition to and/or maintain this lifestyle. As a result, you’ll be well on your way to good long-term health!
If you want to read more about the types of diets around, or you just want to learn about food, please check out our other blog posts now!
